Ever wondered how RTÉ News became Ireland's most trusted news source? Starting as 2RN in 1926, RTÉ News has grown into a powerhouse of journalism, shaping Irish media for nearly a century. From broadcasting the first daily news report in 1927 to launching its flagship current affairs program Prime Time in 1992, RTÉ News has consistently evolved to meet the needs of its audience. With a commitment to bilingual broadcasting, investigative journalism, and community engagement, RTÉ News remains the go-to source for 77% of the Irish public. Dive into these 40 fascinating facts to learn more about the journey and impact of RTÉ News.
Key Takeaways:
- RTÉ News, Ireland's first radio station, has a rich history dating back to 1926, with significant milestones during World War II and technological advancements in the 1970s and 1980s.
- RTÉ News has evolved to embrace digital platforms, engaging with a diverse audience through bilingual broadcasting, regional bureaux, and a commitment to investigative journalism.
The Beginnings of RTÉ News
RTÉ News has a fascinating history that dates back nearly a century. Let's explore its early days and significant milestones.
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Founding: RTÉ News began as 2RN, Ireland's first radio station, which started broadcasting on January 1, 1926.
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First News Bulletin: The first advertised news bulletin aired on May 24, 1926, just nine months after the station's inception.
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Daily News Reports: By February 26, 1927, 2RN was broadcasting its first daily news report, marking a significant milestone in Irish broadcasting history.
Challenges and Changes During World War II
World War II, known as The Emergency in Ireland, brought unique challenges to RTÉ News.
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Media Censorship: During World War II, media censorship affected news bulletins. Scripts had to be read over the phone to the Head of the Government Information Bureau, Frank Gallagher, before any broadcast.
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Censorship Lifted: The censorship under the Emergency Powers Act 1939 was lifted on May 11, 1945, allowing for more freedom in reporting.
Expansion and Technological Advancements
The 1970s and 1980s were periods of significant growth and technological advancements for RTÉ News.
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Expansion and Merger: In the 1970s, Radio Éireann and Telefís Éireann merged to form RTÉ, expanding RTÉ News coverage to new stations like RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTÉ Radio 2.
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Color Television: In the 1970s, RTÉ News transitioned from black and white to color television, enhancing the visual quality of their broadcasts.
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Current Affairs Programs: The early 1980s saw a surge in current affairs programming with the launch of Morning Ireland and Today Tonight, catering to the demands of three general elections within two years.
Modernization and New Appointments
The late 1980s and early 1990s brought modernization and key appointments that shaped RTÉ News.
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Modernization: By 1988, RTÉ re-aligned their news programs, introducing Six One, which was presented by Seán Duignan and Eileen Dunne.
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Legal Affairs Correspondent: In 1991, RTÉ News appointed its first legal affairs correspondent, Kieron Wood, marking a significant step in legal reporting.
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Washington Correspondent: The same year saw the appointment of Mark Little as RTÉ's first Washington, D.C. correspondent, expanding international coverage.
Commitment to Bilingual Broadcasting
RTÉ News has always been committed to promoting bilingualism in Ireland.
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Teilifís na Gaeilge: In the 1990s, Teilifís na Gaeilge (Irish Language Television) was established, furthering RTÉ's commitment to bilingual broadcasting.
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RTÉ.ie: The decade also saw the launch of RTÉ.ie, RTÉ's online presence, which has since become a crucial platform for news dissemination.
Flagship Programs and Leadership Changes
The 1990s and early 2000s saw the launch of flagship programs and significant leadership changes.
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Flagship Program: In 1992, RTÉ launched its flagship current affairs program Prime Time, replacing Today Tonight and setting a new standard for investigative journalism.
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The Week in Politics: Other notable current affairs programs from the 1990s include The Week in Politics and Oireachtas Report, providing in-depth coverage of Irish politics.
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Managing Editor: Ed Mulhall became managing editor in the Newsroom Division in 1994 and was appointed managing director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs in 1997, overseeing significant changes in the department.
Streamlining Operations and Technological Shifts
The early 2000s brought about streamlining of operations and adaptation to new technologies.
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Department Merger: In 2003, RTÉ's news department was merged with its Current Affairs department to form RTÉ News and Current Affairs, streamlining operations and enhancing content.
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Branding Changes: The same year saw all RTÉ news reports in English rebranded as RTÉ News, ending the separate branding of News 2 and 2FM News, creating a unified brand identity.
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Studio Relocation: In December 2008, RTÉ News moved out of their usual studio 3 in the Television Centre at Donnybrook and into a temporary studio while work was carried out on studio 3. The new look was unveiled on the One O'Clock news programme on February 9, 2009.
Adapting to Financial Constraints
Economic challenges led to significant changes in how RTÉ News operated.
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Satellite Cutbacks: Due to RTÉ cutbacks, reporters on foreign assignments were asked to send reports by internet link instead of using satellite, reflecting the evolving technology landscape.
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Beijing Bureau Closure: In June 2009, RTÉ's Beijing bureau was closed, marking a reduction in international reporting capacity.
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Schedule Changes: The same year brought major changes to the current affairs schedule with the axing of the long-running Questions and Answers, which was replaced by The Frontline, introducing new formats and perspectives.
Launch of the RTÉ News Channel
The launch of the RTÉ News Channel marked a new era for 24-hour news coverage.
- RTÉ News Channel Launch: The RTÉ News Channel was launched online in 2008 and as a free-to-air station on TV in 2010, providing 24-hour rolling news bulletins and weather updates.
Organizational Structure and Funding
Understanding the structure and funding of RTÉ News provides insight into its operations.
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Ownership Structure: RTÉ is Ireland’s Public Service Broadcaster, publicly funded and owned by the RTÉ Board. The chair of the board, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, is considered the ultimate global owner, with no shareholders and no dividends paid.
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Dual Funding Model: RTÉ operates a dual funding model, deriving income from a public Licence Fee collected by An Post and advertising revenue from its various platforms.
Leadership and Editorial Direction
Key figures have played crucial roles in shaping RTÉ News.
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Director General: Cathal Séamus Goan served as Director General of RTÉ from 2003 to 2011, playing a crucial role in shaping RTÉ's news and current affairs strategy.
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Current Director General: Kevin Bakhurst became Director General in July 2023 following the resignation of Dee Forbes amidst the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal. Bakhurst has a background in senior editorial and director-level positions at the BBC and Ofcom.
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Chief News Editor: Michael O’Kane has been the Chief News Editor of RTÉ News and Current Affairs since 2018. He has a long career in journalism, including stints at The Irish Press, Irish Daily Star, and Irish Examiner.
Embracing Digital Platforms
RTÉ News has adapted to the digital age with innovative platforms and apps.
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App Development: RTÉ News offers a free app for iPhone and iPad, providing users with the latest headlines, breaking news, live news bulletins, sport results, entertainment updates, audio, video, and weather information.
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App Features: The app features breaking news push notifications, audio & video clips, live streaming of the RTÉ News channel, personalized news feeds with over 25 content categories, offline reading capabilities, and the ability to save stories for later.
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App Privacy Concerns: The app collects identifiers and usage data to track users across apps and websites owned by other companies. It also collects location data but does not link it to user identities.
Historical Significance and Evolution
RTÉ News has played a crucial role in documenting and shaping Irish history.
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Historical Significance: RTÉ News has played a crucial role in Irish history, providing coverage of significant events such as the Irish Revolution and The Emergency during World War II.
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Evolution of Intros: The evolution of RTÉ News intros since 1983 is a testament to the broadcaster's commitment to innovation and quality. A YouTube video showcases the various intros used over the years, highlighting the changing visual and thematic elements.
Audience and Community Engagement
RTÉ News remains the most popular news source in Ireland, engaging with a diverse audience.
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Audience Share: RTÉ News is the largest and most popular news source in Ireland, with 77% of the Irish public regarding it as their main source of both Irish and international news.
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Bilingual Broadcasting: RTÉ News broadcasts in English, Irish, and Irish Sign Language, catering to a diverse audience and promoting bilingualism in Ireland.
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Regional Bureaux: The station operates regional bureaux across Ireland and the world, ensuring comprehensive coverage of local and global events.
Commitment to Investigative Journalism
RTÉ News is renowned for its commitment to investigative journalism.
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Investigative Journalism: RTÉ News is renowned for its investigative journalism, with programs like Prime Time and The Week in Politics setting high standards for in-depth reporting.
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Current Affairs Programming: The department produces a wide range of current affairs programming, including Morning Ireland, Six One, and The Frontline, which cover politics, social issues, and economic trends.
Online Presence and Community Initiatives
RTÉ News continues to innovate and engage with the community through various platforms and initiatives.
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Online Presence: RTÉ.ie is a crucial platform for news dissemination, providing users with up-to-date information on various topics, including news, sports, and entertainment.
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Community Engagement: RTÉ News engages with the community through various initiatives, including historical exhibitions and educational resources, making historical research accessible to secondary school students.
RTÉ News: A Pillar of Irish Journalism
RTÉ News has come a long way since its humble beginnings as 2RN in 1926. From overcoming wartime censorship to embracing modern technology, it has consistently evolved to meet the needs of its audience. With a commitment to bilingual broadcasting, investigative journalism, and community engagement, RTÉ News remains the largest and most trusted news source in Ireland. Its flagship programs like Prime Time and Morning Ireland set high standards for in-depth reporting. The launch of RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app has further expanded its reach, making news accessible to a broader audience. Despite challenges like budget cutbacks and the closure of international bureaus, RTÉ News continues to adapt and thrive. Its rich history and ongoing dedication to quality journalism make it a cornerstone of Irish media.
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