RTÉ's coverage of the campaigning on the eighth amendment to the constitutionissues of objectivity, impartiality and fairness

Abstract

The referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution, what became known alternatively as the Pro-Life or the Abortion Referendum resulted in a new Constitutional provision that: “ Acknowledged the right to life o f the unborn, with due regard to the equal right to life o f the mother” . The campaign, which had been initiated by Catholic groups in an effort to protect traditional moral views, became bitter and divisive within society as it progressed. In its news and programme coverage o f this campaign, RTE, the national broadcaster, was confronted by many new editorial challenges as to how it might cover an inter-communal debate on an issue o f constitutional change. In particular it was required by law to cover the campaigning in a manner that was objective, impartial and fair to all concerned.