RTÉ set to host free public discussion on migrant representation and participation
Members of the public are invited by the RTÉ Audience Council to attend and participate in a free public discussion entitled “Other Faces, Other Voices: Migrant Representation and Participation in RTÉ” on Thursday the 20th of March. Commencing at 6pm in Studio 1, RTÉ Radio Building, the discussion will be chaired by former Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies Mr Andy Pollak, with contribution from a panel of representatives and an audience discussion.
The panel on the evening will comprise Chinedu N. Onyejelem (Editor, Metro Éireann), Dil Wickremasinghe (Broadcaster, Global Village on Newstalk FM), Logan Raju (Board member at the Integration Centre, Ireland), Ebun Akpoveta (Author, RTÉ Audience Council Member and Training & Employment Officer at EPIC Programme at Business in The Community Ireland BITCI), Zbyszel Zalinski (Researcher on RTÉ Radio 1 John Murray Show and former presenter on RTÉ Radio 1 Playback) and Kevin Bakhurst, Deputy Director General, RTÉ. Audience participation throughout the discussion is also welcomed.
The RTÉ Audience Council, formed in 2003, provides a voice for the viewers and listeners with regard to RTÉ’s output and delivery on its public remit. The 15 member Council is chaired by Pauric Dempsey, Head of Communications and Public Affairs in the Royal Irish Academy. Commenting on the upcoming event Mr Dempsey said;
“Migrants make a huge contribution to Irish society. It is important that we see their faces and hear their voices and viewpoints in our national debates and discussions”.
Speaking about the upcoming event, Mr Pollack said:
“The tens of thousands of people from all over the world who have been granted Irish citizenship in recent years show clearly that Irishness is now a multicultural identity. But where are their faces on our television screens? Where are their voices on our radio stations? Where are their inspirational and challenging ideas in our newspaper columns? Their presence in our national media debates is not exactly high profile – and we as a nation are surely poorer for their absence.”
Applications for tickets will be accepted to audiencecouncil@rte.ie until Friday 14th March. Further details about the event and the RTÉ Audience Council can be found at www.rte.ie/about
#rteaudiencecouncil
Live streaming at rte.ie/live
