nepotism in state broadcaster..

positivenote

Simple question...
we all know it exists and is grossly unfair to the myriad of media graduates who are never told of these jobs being advertised (sic) but what can we do about it?

if all people do is mention it on a forum it's never going to change.

big panda monium

So what do you suggest ? I listened to lottie ryan yesterday it was the worst piece of radio I have ever heard. She was reading anytime she spoke, and when she did it meandered on and on and on , at one point she played the wrong song, then realised , spoke over the song and just continued to play it. Then at one point she pretended she was crying because the show was coming to an end, and to think tax payers are paying for it. Honestly people in community radio would be better than her. People need to listen to yesterdays show on the player just to get an idea how bad it was. If i can get a link I'll post it up. Nepotism ? its alive and well but like I sai what do you do to counter it ?

Evan DietrichSmith

big panda monium wrote: »

So what do you suggest ? I listened to lottie ryan yesterday it was the worst piece of radio I have ever heard. She was reading anytime she spoke, and when she did it meandered on and on and on , at one point she played the wrong song, then realised , spoke over the song and just continued to play it. Then at one point she pretended she was crying because the show was coming to an end, and to think tax payers are paying for it. Honestly people in community radio would be better than her. People need to listen to yesterdays show on the player just to get an idea how bad it was. If i can get a link I'll post it up. Nepotism ? its alive and well but like I sai what do you do to counter it ?

Not a lot, not a lot unfortunately.

positivenote

big panda monium wrote: »

Nepotism ? its alive and well but like I sai what do you do to counter it ?

I dont know? but surely there must be something that can be done? I may have heard that these jobs surely must be advertised as they are public service appointments? Cant there be some kind of disclosure re: the appointment process as It is our money that is funding it?:mad:

Welsh Megaman

Send a demo tape to Noel Kelly Management.

And the keys to the RTE kingdom are yours!

mickydoomsux

Stop listening.

Write letters/bombard their Twitter or Facebook with abuse.

Evan DietrichSmith

mickydoomsux wrote: »

Stop listening.

Write letters/bombard their Twitter or Facebook with abuse.

Won't make a blind bit of difference Michael, regretfully.

Loafing Oaf

Campaign for Pat Rabbitte's new broadcasting charge to be made voluntary vis-a-vis RTE.

Aidric

Because a nod and a wink is the exclusive preserve of RTE?

youtube!

It is rife in every public service job too make no mistake.

risteard7

As somebody who has been unemployed I have seen it first hand. It's all about who you know not what you know.

serfboard

youtube! wrote: »

It is rife in every public service job too make no mistake.

FYP - do you really think nepotism is confined to the public sector?

reg114

serfboard wrote: »

FYP - do you really think nepotism is confined to the public sector?

No, nepotism is everywhere but the public don't pay the wages of private sector workers. The public have every right to scrutinize who gets jobs in rte and how much they are paid, especially if, as in Lottie Ryan's case, basic talent and experience are lacking in equal measure.

stephenireland

Can someone list out people in broadcasting in the BBC and RTE who are there because of nepotism......?

Bobba Fett

reg114 wrote: »

The public have every right to scrutinize who gets jobs in rte and how much they are paid

Actually they don't. People are employed on behalf of the public to do that job.

touts

positivenote wrote: »

Simple question...
we all know it exists and is grossly unfair to the myriad of media graduates who are never told of these jobs being advertised (sic) but what can we do about it?

if all people do is mention it on a forum it's never going to change.

We have by your own admission a "Myriad of media graduates" being pumped out of colleges each year. On the other side we have a small population of radio stations and a tiny number of hosting slots coming available every year. To be honest if you haven't got some contacts in the industry it was a foolish course to opt for.

Turn the radio on

Nepotism is fact of life, It is everywhere, not just in rte. Ian Dempsey said in an interview last year that his oldest son works as a sound engineer for communicorp.

For Reals

What are the employment laws like regarding RTE? Surely they must advertise positions and hold interviews? I know they don't, so is there legal recourse here?
Hiring somebody based on who they are related to side steps other kids coming up, narrows the chance of finding actual talent and condemns us, the financiers of these endeavours, to piss poor entertainment just so the likes of the Ryan dynasty need never worry about having to do a 9 to 5 in a factory.

A.J.Plumb

Look ! It's not what you know it's who you know !

This is particularly prevalent in the world of broadcast media..why in the freek are the likes of Larry Gogan ,Dave Fanning and Gay Byrne still getting airtime on National airways..when so many talented and eager presenters cannot find a slot .

Fcukin disgrace !

Evan DietrichSmith

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Look ! It's not what you know it's who you know !

This is particularly prevalent in the world of broadcast media..why in the freek are the likes of Larry Gogan ,Dave Fanning and Gay Byrne still getting airtime on National airways..when so many talented and eager presenters cannot find a slot .

Fcukin disgrace !

Can't argue with that AJ, this wafting along for aeons is what is holding RTE back

When you are finished get the fcuk out, go away from the place.

No need for Gaybo,Mike Murphy, Anne Doyle,and countless other has beens to be constantly popping up.

Give good, honest new blood a chance, not the children and relations of current presenters.

Time to shake that kip up.

Liam92

I graduated from college last year and the aim is to get into radio, but hearing the likes of Lottie Ryan getting a job that I and many others would value and appreciate so much, is more than demoralising.

Why can't 2FM and others just give people the chance to shine instead of banking on 'safe' bets?

I'd happily accept not getting an advertised radio position if the successful person actually was a newbie in the industry and given a chance to prove themselves. This country is still so backwards.

A.J.Plumb

Liam92 wrote: »

I graduated from college last year and the aim is to get into radio, but hearing the likes of Lottie Ryan getting a job that I and many others would value and appreciate so much, is more than demoralising.

Why can't 2FM and others just give people the chance to shine instead of banking on 'safe' bets?

I'd happily accept not getting an advertised radio position if the successful person actually was a newbie in the industry and given a chance to prove themselves. This country is still so backwards.

Too right Liam...but it was ever so !

RTE have some neck in giving Lottie Ryan a National Radio Slot given the huge and justified criticism of the amount of nepotism in that organisation.

As ever the insiders look after themselves.....:eek:

Evan DietrichSmith

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Too right Liam...but it was ever so !

RTE have some neck in giving Lottie Ryan a National Radio Slot given the huge and justified criticism of the amount of nepotism in that organisation.

As ever the insiders look after themselves.....:eek:

Nailed it there AJ , insiders find a way to bypass the system.

Don't go to the top, burrow in from underneath, tried and trusted method in semi- states and PS.

Burrow in, get your protege, usually a relation ,in at ANY LEVEL and then given the culture they can only go up.

Seen it done many times, I tells ya, many many times.

The_Captain

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Look ! It's not what you know it's who you know !

This is particularly prevalent in the world of broadcast media..why in the freek are the likes of Larry Gogan ,Dave Fanning and Gay Byrne still getting airtime on National airways..when so many talented and eager presenters cannot find a slot .

Fcukin disgrace !

Larry Gogan, Dave Fanning and Gay Byrne are among the most respected broadcasters in Ireland. If you wanted examples of people who don't deserve their jobs in RTE, there's an awful lot of better names you could have used

dib

For Reals wrote: »

What are the employment laws like regarding RTE? Surely they must advertise positions and hold interviews? I know they don't

Two years ago RTE advertised publicly for a panel of Audio Engineers. 12 people were taken on on a casual basis and three have now been made full time. One of those is a friend of mine. To say RTE doesn't advertise positions is just ridiculous!

Mobile Dj

dib wrote: »

Two years ago RTE advertised publicly for a panel of Audio Engineers. 12 people were taken on on a casual basis and three have now been made full time. One of those is a friend of mine. To say RTE doesn't advertise positions is just ridiculous!

Rte do advertise jobs,

http://www.rte.ie/about/en/working-with-rte/vacancies/

I think it is in the presenting area that there does not seem to be a system other than the head hunt option.

I feel that there should be a slot where new graduates could present a show for a time and gain some experience, would benefit RTE as they could be first to catch the up and coming talent at the early stage of their career.

More Music

Liam92 wrote: »

.......I'd happily accept not getting an advertised radio position if the successful person actually was a newbie in the industry and given a chance to prove themselves. This country is still so backwards.

We'll if the position wasn't advertised publicly then the only way somebody would know about it is if they had a connection with RTE.

So the person who gets the gig would be unknown and unproven but still get the job.

Isn't that exactly what happened with Lottie Ryan?

She's an unproven newbie given a chance in RTE.

Mobile Dj

More Music wrote: »

We'll if the position wasn't advertised publicly then the only way somebody would know about it is if they had a connection with RTE.

So the person who gets the gig would be unknown and unproven but still get the job.

Isn't that exactly what happened with Lottie Ryan?

She's an unproven newbie given a chance in RTE.

Again filling a presenters slot seems to be done by head hunting an individual, not through interviews to establish suitability for the slot.

A.J.Plumb

The_Captain wrote: »

Larry Gogan, Dave Fanning and Gay Byrne are among the most respected broadcasters in Ireland. If you wanted examples of people who don't deserve their jobs in RTE, there's an awful lot of better names you could have used

I am sure they are my friend...but Gogan and Byrne are tippin eighty years old..respected or not they should be retired.

Fanning is well in his fifties but tries to look like he is in his thirties...dosn't work pal.

And I never said that these people didn't deserve their jobs in RTE...just that they are now past it....normal retiring age is 65....move on lads make room for some younger folk.

Do I not have a point ....?

goose2005

More Music wrote: »

We'll if the position wasn't advertised publicly then the only way somebody would know about it is if they had a connection with RTE.

So the person who gets the gig would be unknown and unproven but still get the job.

Isn't that exactly what happened with Lottie Ryan?

She's an unproven newbie given a chance in RTE.

But surely it would be fairer, and better for the station and the listeners, to hire someone with proper experience, someone who had served their time and built their skills at a local/Internet station or in nightclubs and actually had the knowledge and ability to be a really good radio presenter? Rather than just the last guy's daughter.

Liam92

More Music wrote: »

We'll if the position wasn't advertised publicly then the only way somebody would know about it is if they had a connection with RTE.

So the person who gets the gig would be unknown and unproven but still get the job.

Isn't that exactly what happened with Lottie Ryan?

She's an unproven newbie given a chance in RTE.

Lottie Ryan has featured on RTÉ several times in the past and don't even deny this was not down to her surname. There are so many talented people out there who could attract listeners on radio/viewers on tv, yet they'll never receive the same opportunities. It's a pity.

Mobile Dj

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

I am sure they are my friend...but Gogan and Byrne are tippin eighty years old..respected or not they should be retired.

Fanning is well in his fifties but tries to look like he is in his thirties...dosn't work pal.

And I never said that these people didn't deserve their jobs in RTE...just that they are now past it....normal retiring age is 65....move on lads make room for some younger folk.

Do I not have a point ....?

Remember that most presenters are sole traders/self employed with contracts so the 65 age limit (I think) does not apply.

touts

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

I am sure they are my friend...but Gogan and Byrne are tippin eighty years old..respected or not they should be retired.

Fanning is well in his fifties but tries to look like he is in his thirties...dosn't work pal.

And I never said that these people didn't deserve their jobs in RTE...just that they are now past it....normal retiring age is 65....move on lads make room for some younger folk.

Do I not have a point ....?

Say they did have a cull of every presenter over 65 in RTE and hired new graduates to replace them that would fill what, 3 or 4 slots? So extend it to cover all national stations and force out the likes of Pat Kenny and George Hook. Now we might get up to 7 or 8 jobs for the new graduates. Still won't solve the problem. So lets we sent in the guards to purge everyone over 65 from every local radio station in the country and that will probably just about get the whole class of 2013 jobs.

But what do we do next September when the class of 2014 start looking. Do we shoot every presenter over 60?

The fact remains we are talking about an industry with a small employment base in this country and low turnover of staff. Unless you have a real passion for the industry and a proven exceptional talent in say podcasting and local DJing then I'm afraid setting your heart on a career in Radio presenting is foolish and bound to lead to a high level of frustration.

P. Breathnach

touts wrote: »

Say they did have a cull of every presenter over 65 in RTE and hired new graduates to replace them that would fill what, 3 or 4 slots? So extend it to cover all national stations and force out the likes of Pat Kenny and George Hook. Now we might get up to 7 or 8 jobs for the new graduates. Still won't solve the problem. So lets we sent in the guards to purge everyone over 65 from every local radio station in the country and that will probably just about get the whole class of 2013 jobs....

The problem with accommodating all graduates is that some of them don't have a great deal of talent.

Neither do I think that all of those currently employed in broadcasting have sufficient talent.

I am very disappointed at how poor the major broadcasters are at discovering talented broadcasters, and then using them correctly. In a way, I get more cross about good broadcasters being wasted on the wrong sort of programme: it makes for worse programmes, and can ruin the reputation of a good broadcaster.

end of the road

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

why in the freek are the likes of Larry Gogan ,Dave Fanning and Gay Byrne still getting airtime on National airways

because their experienced compitent broadcasters, you don't have to listen to them if they bother you that much

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

so many talented and eager presenters cannot find a slot

while unfortunate, maybe some of them aren't what RTE is looking for.

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Fcukin disgrace !

no its not

end of the road

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

I am sure they are my friend...but Gogan and Byrne are tippin eighty years old..

who cares, the BBC have broadcasters older and hey, they get huge listenership

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

respected or not they should be retired.

no they shouldn't, their pulling in the listeners.

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Fanning is well in his fifties but tries to look like he is in his thirties...dosn't work pal.

what are you on about?

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

I never said that these people didn't deserve their jobs in RTE...

nobody knows what you said.

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

they are now past it....

yet their on the radio and your not

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

normal retiring age is 65....

and yet these lads are still working because they bring in listeners.

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

move on lads

i'm sure they will when their ready to.

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

make room for some younger folk.

why should they, if RTE finds some young presenters who will fit they will be given a chance, a, you know, some have been all ready

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Do I not have a point ....?

no, it just sounds like the whining of someone who applied and was unsuccessful

Loafing Oaf

P. Breathnach wrote: »

I am very disappointed at how poor the major broadcasters are at discovering talented broadcasters, and then using them correctly.

I wonder about this too, but apparently it's not a commercially viable strategy to give a broadcasting gig to talented but unknown kids. Look at the way Newstalk keeps giving presenting jobs to middle aged and older people who have already made a name for themselves, sometimes in a totally different field. When Yates left because of his bankruptcy they were casting round for months before they came up with...Norah Casey. Presumably their market research had told them x thousand more people would tune in to the Breakfast Show just because yer one from Dragons Den was on it.

Mobile Dj

..

Mobile Dj

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

When Yates left because of his bankruptcy they were casting round for months before they came up with...Norah Casey. Presumably their market research had told them x thousand more people would tune in to the Breakfast Show just because yer one from Dragons Den was on it.

Come on.. Norah Casey on air because of the dragons den, doubt it as this lady is well established and respected in the business world,

I did hear her present and I found her to be worth listening to as she was well able take charge and debate any topics that came up.

Evan DietrichSmith

end of the road wrote: »

who cares, the BBC have broadcasters older and hey, they get huge listenership

no they shouldn't, their pulling in the listeners.

what are you on about?

nobody knows what you said.

yet their on the radio and your not

and yet these lads are still working because they bring in listeners.

i'm sure they will when their ready to.

why should they, if RTE finds some young presenters who will fit they will be given a, you know, some have been all ready

no, it just sounds like the whining of someone who applied and was unsuccessful

Eh... It doesn't mate.


To me it's a fair statement of what's happening on broadcast media, be it radio or television.

Other people with fresh outlook could well pull in listeners too.

Surely it's a corporate strategy from the service provider, stay stuck in the past,hold on to the tried and trusted performers and take no risk with newcomers.

Most people in management as I am would baulk at that strategy Nd form the opinion that they will run out of road in the long run.

Look at aviation.

Tried to hold the industry in a cartel and national carriers,but along came O'Leary and Ryanair who turned the whole setup upside down.

Same will happen with the broadcasting industry if the Neanderthals don't pull their heads out of the sand.

end of the road

Evan DietrichSmith wrote: »

Look at aviation.

Tried to hold the industry in a cartel and national carriers,but along came O'Leary and Ryanair who turned the whole setup upside down.

Same will happen with the broadcasting industry if the Neanderthals don't pull their heads out of the sand.

will it, how exactly, i don't see it happening, look at the UK, had many different radio stations (still do to an extent) but along came the big groups and started networking stations, then when global came a load of heritage brands would disapear forever to become heart or capital which provides mass market pap to the masses and provides nothing exciting and engaging to anyone, its just background music to listen to at work or in the car and thats it, if anything thats how the broadcast industry will end up here, the schedules for both stations include "celebrity" presenters, some who probably have no radio experience but are well known to some of the listeners at least, tried and trusted is the way the broadcast industry is now days, its **** but its not going to change.

A.J.Plumb

end of the road wrote: »

who cares, the BBC have broadcasters older and hey, they get huge listenership

no they shouldn't, their pulling in the listeners.

what are you on about?

nobody knows what you said.

yet their on the radio and your not

and yet these lads are still working because they bring in listeners.

i'm sure they will when their ready to.

why should they, if RTE finds some young presenters who will fit they will be given a, you know, some have been all ready

no, it just sounds like the whining of someone who applied and was unsuccessful

I find the tone of your post unnecessarily aggressive my friend.

I am entitled to my point of view as you are to yours.....

You harp on about "pulling in the listeners" and they do pull in the listeners, but somebody in a prime slot will always have listeners !

I can assure you my friend that I have no wish to be on radio...no ambitions in that area at all.

What i am concerned about is that a public body funded with my taxes is operating an unfair recruitment policy and rife with nepotism.

And lastly I am not "whining" as your post suggests...just putting a valid point of view

Loafing Oaf

Mobile Dj wrote: »

Come on.. Norah Casey on air because of the dragons den, doubt it as this lady is well established and respected in the business world,

I did hear her present and I found her to be worth listening to as she was well able take charge and debate any topics that came up.

But would she have got the gig if she was 'merely' a successful businesswoman who had never been on da telly? I thought she was ok on the Breakfast Show but I doubt any better than dozens of recent journalism graduates who, unlike her, really need the job.

As I said, there must be a solid commercial reason why NT keep hiring 'names', but their failure to groom in-house talent ultimately comes back to bite them: if, as rumoured in another thread, Chris is gonna take off to travel the world soon, they'll likely have the same scramble to replace him as they did when other presenters left the show.

end of the road

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

somebody in a prime slot will always have listeners !

not always

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

I can assure you my friend that I have no wish to be on radio...no ambitions in that area at all.

fair enough

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

What i am concerned about is that a public body funded with my taxes is operating an unfair recruitment policy and rife with nepotism.

it maybe unfair but their not going to axe their older presenters who pull in listeners to "give young people a chance" i'd imagine many of the commercial stations are reluctant to do the same, yes it may be unfair but we need to be realistic here.

A.J.Plumb

end of the road wrote: »

who cares, the BBC have broadcasters older and hey, they get huge listenership

no they shouldn't, their pulling in the listeners.

what are you on about?

nobody knows what you said.

yet their on the radio and your not

and yet these lads are still working because they bring in listeners.

i'm sure they will when their ready to.

why should they, if RTE finds some young presenters who will fit they will be given a, you know, some have been all ready

no, it just sounds like the whining of someone who applied and was unsuccessful

end of the road wrote: »

not always

fair enough

it maybe unfair but their not going to axe their older presenters who pull in listeners to "give young people a chance" i'd imagine many of the commercial stations are reluctant to do the same, yes it may be unfair but we need to be realistic here.

You certainly have a way with words Buddy !

Name me ant presenter in a primetime slot who does not pull in the listeners ?

Never wanted the to axe their "older presenters" merely cull 70/80 somethings like Gogan and Byrne.

And 50 somethings like Fanning trying to look edgy and grungy and act as he were thirty.

end of the road

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Never wanted the to axe their "older presenters" merely cull 70/80 somethings like Gogan and Byrne.

but why should they axe Gogan and Byrne if their bringing in the listeners, Byrne is on lyric anyway and is well known, i'm sorry but their not going to axe well known presenters to give an unknown a chance unless their very very good.

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

50 somethings like Fanning trying to look edgy and grungy and act as he were thirty.

i don't think he's acting anything at all, he's a rock dj and is well known and respected for what he does

Evan DietrichSmith

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

You certainly have a way with words Buddy !

Name me ant presenter in a primetime slot who does not pull in the listeners ?

Never wanted the to axe their "older presenters" merely cull 70/80 somethings like Gogan and Byrne.

And 50 somethings like Fanning trying to look edgy and grungy and act as he were thirty.

I'd have to agree there AJ and pursue the point that you are making.

Any company which stands still and relies on tried and trusted output will ultimately fail.

Why?

Because not the presenter or broadcaster will change,but the audience profile will.

Look at it this way would the output of the 1980s and presentation style and format be acceptable today.

Don't think so even though Fab Vinnie was ahead of his time.

You have to think ahead especially when all is going well

That much maligned organisation the GAA are a case in point.

They could have stood still, their headquarters,Croke Park was fine ,held 75 000 and everything was kosher. Nobody was complaining.

But they thought ahead,sank huge amounts of money into building a 'world class' stadium and are now reaping the benefits.

So whilst the various analogies may not be totally analogous,the strategy is ,in my opinion,valid.

You gotta move with the times however comfortable the present may be

Mobile Dj

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

But would she have got the gig if she was 'merely' a successful businesswoman who had never been on da telly? I thought she was ok on the Breakfast Show but I doubt any better than dozens of recent journalism graduates who, unlike her, really need the job.

As I said, there must be a solid commercial reason why NT keep hiring 'names', but their failure to groom in-house talent ultimately comes back to bite them: if, as rumoured in another thread, Chris is gonna take off to travel the world soon, they'll likely have the same scramble to replace him as they did when other presenters left the show.

First point, Hard one to call she moves in big circles and would attract listeners.

Second point, NT by hiring names allow the show to hit the ground running, peak times would not be a good starting point for a newbie.

Loafing Oaf

Mobile Dj wrote: »

Second point, NT by hiring names allow the show to hit the ground running, peak times would not be a good starting point for a newbie.

Well Chris was pretty much thrown in at the deep end - was it when Conor Brophy left? - and that worked out ok. The broader point is, they don't seem to be making any sort of effort to groom new presenters in-house: whenever Yatest or Hook or PK is off its invariably Shane Coleman filling in. Surely they could give one of their reporters or researchers a crack at it, even just for a day? Have they any sort of plan for the not too far off day when Hook packs it in?

roran

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

I am sure they are my friend...but Gogan and Byrne are tippin eighty years old..respected or not they should be retired.

Fanning is well in his fifties but tries to look like he is in his thirties...dosn't work pal.

And I never said that these people didn't deserve their jobs in RTE...just that they are now past it....normal retiring age is 65....move on lads make room for some younger folk.

Do I not have a point ....?

A.J.Plumb wrote: »

Look ! It's not what you know it's who you know !

This is particularly prevalent in the world of broadcast media..why in the freek are the likes of Larry Gogan ,Dave Fanning and Gay Byrne still getting airtime on National airways..when so many talented and eager presenters cannot find a slot .

Fcukin disgrace !

You're right about the 'disgrace' element there AJ...only one word for your viewpoint - ageist!!

roran

Evan DietrichSmith wrote: »

Eh... It doesn't mate.


To me it's a fair statement of what's happening on broadcast media, be it radio or television.

Other people with fresh outlook could well pull in listeners too.

Surely it's a corporate strategy from the service provider, stay stuck in the past,hold on to the tried and trusted performers and take no risk with newcomers.

Most people in management as I am would baulk at that strategy Nd form the opinion that they will run out of road in the long run.

Look at aviation.

Tried to hold the industry in a cartel and national carriers,but along came O'Leary and Ryanair who turned the whole setup upside down.

Same will happen with the broadcasting industry if the Neanderthals don't pull their heads out of the sand.

I'm really behind you to use the system and acquire your own broadcast licence, implement your beliefs and sit back and laugh at the 'Neanderthals' as your listenership rockets...:-)