Coimisiún na Meán investigation into South East Radio and Tipp FM, Digi Mart USA News (Ireland): Media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has announced separate investigations into two radio stations over alleged breaches of its codes of programme standards and fairness and impartiality in news delivery. The formal investigations into Wexford-based South East Radio and Tipp FM were commenced following complaints made through the commission’s broadcasting and video-on-demand complaint process.
South East Radio is to be investigated over potential breaches of the Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs and the Broadcasting Act 2009. It is understood the complaint relates to statements read out on the station’s Morning Mix show on December 11, 13, and 14, 2024, “in relation to an off-air incident,” when it is alleged the presenter in question “was not impartial or balanced, and misquoted statements.” It is believed the segments dealt to some extent with relations between former Wexford County Council chief executive Tom Enright and the radio station itself.
The two parties had been involved in a war of words for several years over the station’s alleged unfair treatment of the council’s operations from 2022 until Mr Enright’s exit from the council after 10 years in February 2024. South East Radio did not reply to a request for comment.
Tipp FM is separately being investigated over possible breaches of Coimisiún na Meán’s Code of Programme Standards as well as the fairness, objectivity and impartiality regulation. That complaint stemmed from a segment on the Tipp Today show on August 12, 2024, in which a letter from the public was read out concerning men cutting rhododendron flowers in the woods.
The complaint alleges “the broadcast was not fair, impartial or objective to the men described in the letter.” Tipperary County Council spent roughly €250,000 tackling invasive species such as rhododendrons between 2020 and 2024.
The two regulations in question prohibit the incitement to hatred and the promotion of views prejudicial to the protection of the environment, and ban the expression of a broadcaster’s own views on a topic. In a statement, Tipp FM said the investigation is part of Coimisiún na Meán’s complaints process and concerns a broadcast from August 2024.
The station said it looks forward to continuing to engage with the commission and will make no further comment at this stage.
Should either station be found in violation of the regulations, it could be fined up to 10% of turnover or €20m, whichever is the larger figure, under powers enabled by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022.
