"Tone Deaf - Car Manufacturer Announces RTE Celebrity as Brand Ambassador Mid-Scandal"

"Tone Deaf - Car Manufacturer Announces RTE Celebrity as Brand Ambassador Mid-Scandal" - Tóibín

The Aontú leader has hit out at RTE stars whom he labelled 'Tone Deaf' in their reaction to the recent controversy in the State Broadcaster.

Speaking today, Deputy Tóibín said: "I actually thought this was a joke when I read about a car manufacturer teaming up with an RTE 'star' in advertising newspapers yesterday morning, but no, a particular car manufacturer has announced THIS WEEK that they've a new RTE brand ambassador"

Deputy Tóibín continued: "This is incredibly bad PR on behalf of the RTE star in question, but incredibly good PR for the car manufacturer. I am intentionally not naming the car brand, but you can rest assured that their announcement yesterday will ensure that their brand name will be discussed by everyone within the political and media circles, and around kitchen tables, over the coming days. They may get their coverage and sales may skyrocket as a result of what is an incredibly ill-timed announcement".

"It is becoming more apparent that there exists a massive gap, between the general public and many upper earners in RTE. There is also a massive gap in terms of pay and conditions, between the celebrities in RTE and the hard working excellent journalists putting in long shifts. Celebrity seems to the currency of RTE more valued than the many workers who work diligently producing quality material and breaking important stories.

There needs to be a pay cap within RTE and we need to have accountability at upper management levels. Members of the Executive board and the General board did not do their jobs. They should not be allowed to keep their jobs after the investigations have been complete. The fact that this brand ambassador announcement was made this week shows how tone deaf some RTE stars are in their attitudes towards this scandal and the public", concluded Tóibín.

ENDS

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.