The mass media and fairness

Sir, – Colum Kenny claims that broadcasting in Ireland is fair and compares it favourably with what he calls the "excesses" of Fox News in the United States (Letters, August 17th).

In December 2017, the businessman and former presidential candidate Sean Gallagher won substantial damages and an apology from RTÉ. The latter conceded that its actions “fell significantly short of the standards expected by the public and required by law”. The Broadcasting Authority had also concluded that Mr Gallagher had been treated unfairly by RTÉ.

Mr Gallagher had claimed that the actions of RTÉ had contributed to his failure to become president – a reasonable conclusion given that he had enjoyed a substantial lead in the polls prior to what became known as “Tweetgate”. – Yours, etc.

JOHN McGRATH,

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Ashford,

Co Wicklow.