Madam, - The Minister for Communications,the Marine and Natural Resources Mr Dermot Ahern, states (Opinion, August 12th) that I said his draft broadcasting charter was asking too much of RTÉ. I said no such thing. In my article of August 8th I expressed the opinion that the increased output promised by RTÉ itself in its Statement of Commitments 2003 might be difficult to achieve before the end of this year. I did not take "umbrage" at the Minister's assertion in his press release that RTÉ's "news reporting and public affairs coverage shall be undertaken from a variety of perspectives" and not from a Dublin perspective alone. I pointed out that RTÉ was already fulfilling this obligation.
Why the Minister thinks that my comments, based on my experience of working in broadcasting in Ireland and abroad for over a quarter of a century, should put me among those who are against "Fianna Fáil, republicanism and rural Ireland" must remain one of the mysteries of this long, hot summer. - Yours etc.,
WESLEY BOYD,
Mount Merrior,
Co Dubin.