RTE is facing an extremely challenging financial situation but is not on the verge of bankruptcy, its director general has insisted. Kevin Bakhurst warned members of a parliamentary committee in Dublin that failure to implement a new longer term funding model for public service media in Ireland would jeopardise the future of the national broadcaster. The crisis at RTE erupted in June when the broadcaster revealed it had not correctly declared fees to its then highest-paid earner Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2022. The furore subsequently widened as a series of other financial and governance issues emerged. Prior to its difficulties over the summer months, RTE had asked the Irish government for 34.5 million euro (£29.6 million) in additional interim funding this year.

Source: Irish Independent September 13, 2023 23:43 UTC