Madam, – Sarah Carey is entitled to her view of RTÉ's The Frontline(Opinion, October 28th). It's certainly an original one judging by other media comment and, more importantly, the reaction of our viewers. Certainly the programme includes a lot of passionate contributions from the audience – which is a good thing, not a bad thing – but it also features substantial argument about important national issues.
For instance, the McCarthy report and public sector pay featured on September 28th. People argued their positions passionately but were listened to with real concern and given the opportunity to engage in serious discussion on the issues they raised.
The following week (October 5th) the main item was a considered debate on whether the Greens should stay in Government and that was followed (October 12th) by a comprehensive discussion of the issues surrounding Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
Ms Carey's characterisation of the panellists on the programme as "the bad guys placed in stocks" is simply untrue. She cites – very simplistically – two examples, but makes no mention of the other nine items The Frontlinehas to date featured, which even the most unreasonable critic could not characterise in that way. – Yours, etc,