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RTÉ to remove God is rapist skit from Player and will review how it made it to air
RTÉ has said the sketch did not meet its broadcast standards. By Rónán Duffy Thursday 7 Jan 2021, 5:39 PM Jan 7th 2021, 5:39 PM 24,062 Views 148 Comments
The RTÉ Montrose campus in Donnybrook.
Image: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie
Image: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie
RTÉ HAS APOLOGISED and will make a disclosure to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) after finding that its comedy sketch depicting God as a rapist breached broadcast standards.
The RTÉ Editorial Standards Board found the sketch breached both its own and BAI’s standards under rules against causing “undue offence” and having “due respect” for religious beliefs.
A still image from the RTÉ sketch with God being arrested for rape. Photo: RTÉ
The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore has described a satirical sketch on RTÉ which portrayed God as a rapist as ‘revolting’.
The sketch by Waterford Whispers, as part of a New Year’s Eve show, featured a mocked-up news report with former newsreader Aengus Mac Grianna claiming that God had been arrested over “sexual harassment scandals”.
RTE apologised for the segment after receiving thousands of complaints from viewers. Aengus Mac Grianna has also apologised for taking part in it.
In a letter this week, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan criticised the piece describing it as ‘revolting’ and offensive.
Former RTÉ newsreader deeply sorry for any offence caused by New Year s Eve sketch Former RTÉ newsreader Aengus Mac Grianna has apologised for his participation in a New Year s Eve sketch which prompted a barage of complaints. Picture by RTE 06 January, 2021 01:00
A FORMER RTÉ newsreader has apologised for his participation in a New Year s Eve sketch which prompted a barage of complaints.
Aengus Mac Grianna, who retired in 2018, said he was deeply sorry for any offence caused by the Waterford Whispers sketch, which was broadcast on RTÉ One.
The sketch, which was presented by Mr Mac Grianna, received thousands of complaints as well as requests for it to be removed from the RTÉ Player.
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