Sir, – A real advance in modern news coverage has been the use of live reporting, with on-the-spot, real-time information on rapidly evolving events. However, given the need to cover its own affairs as headlines, RTÉ seems to have taken this innovation to the point of absurdity with the news anchor interviewing a colleague standing in the carpark outside, complete with satellite camera unit. Why they don’t just sit at a desk and talk isn’t clear. However, given the new-found enthusiasm to cut costs at the station, perhaps a saving can be made even with live updates. Talking into paper cups joined together by a length of string might preserve the excitement of on-the-spot reportage, but on a tighter budget. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN O’BRIEN,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.