RTE to apologise over ‘God arrest’ sketch deemed ‘deeply offensive’

The controversial clip was shown as part of the station’s New Year’s Eve Countdown show.

The clip – in the form of a mocked-up news report featuring former RTE news presenter Aengus Mac Grianna – claimed that God had been arrested in relation to “sexual harassment scandals”.

The narrative said: “The five-billion year-old stood accused of forcing himself on a young middle-eastern migrant and allegedly impregnating her against her will.”

A man dressed as God is then led away by gardai.

Following the broadcast, Archbishop Eamon Martin said: “I am shocked that the producer/editor of ‘NYE Countdown Show’ at RTE didn’t realise how deeply offensive was a mocking ‘news report’ accusing God of rape...

“This outrageous clip should be removed immediately & denounced by all people of goodwill.”

On Thursday, RTE said it now accepted that the sketch, although intended as satire, did not comply with RTÉ’s own standards, and broader regulations”.

In a statement, the broadcaster said its own editorial standards board found that the sketch did not comply with the following provisions:

“The provisions of Section 39 (1) (d) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and the BAI Code of Programme Standards in relation to material that causes “undue offence”;

“The provision of Principle 5 in the above Code (Respect for Persons and Groups in Society) regarding “due respect” for religious beliefs.

“The RTÉ Editorial Standards Board also found the sketch did not comply with the provision in the RTÉ Journalism & Content Guidelines regarding sensitivity to people’s religious beliefs.”

The statement goes on to say: “After consideration of the RTÉ Editorial Standards Board’s findings, RTÉ has made the following decisions:

“RTÉ will make a voluntary disclosure of non-compliance to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and engage with the authority in this process;

“RTÉ will request the Editorial Standards Board to review the processes involved in the broadcast and report on same;

“RTÉ will remove this sketch from the RTÉ Player;

“RTÉ will carry a public statement and apology, with due prominence, acknowledging this sketch did not meet the standards expected of the national broadcaster.

“It is RTÉ’s view that satire is an important part of the offering to our audience. However, satire, no more than any other aspect of our output, must adhere to our own standards and the standards set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009 and the BAI Codes.”

Dee Forbes, the director general of RTÉ said: “We accept the findings of the Editorial Standards Board that this sketch was not compliant with our own guidelines or with our obligations under the relevant codes. On behalf of RTÉ, I fully apologise for that.

“We will now review the processes involved and engage constructively with the BAI.”

READ: RTE God rape sketch ‘insult to Christians’

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