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04.05.12

RTE is to be fined €200,000 for libelling Father Kevin Reynolds in its Prime Time Investigates Programme, "Mission to Prey".

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland published its long awaited report today, which contained damning criticisms of how the programme was put together.

The programme, which was aired last May, falsely accused Fr Reynolds of raping a minor and fathering a child by her while working as a missionary in Africia.

Ex-BBC boss Anne Carragher conducted the investigation on behalf of the BAI to aid its findings.

The new report is critical of the station’s production team, saying that interviews with significant sources were not documented and that there was in fact, a complete absence of documentary evidence.

It also found that second-hand gossip was treated as corroboration.

Fr. Reynolds sued RTE and has since received an apology and what is believed to be a substantial settlement.

The fall-out from the programme saw RTE’s head of news, Ed Mulhall retire from his position after 14 years.

Ken O'Se , who was the head of current affairs at the time of the broadcast resigned from his position but moved to another role within the company.

A new set of journalism guidelines for staff in RTE has also been published.

The broadcasting network received the BAI report at the beginning of April and had 14 days to challenge its findings.

It remains to be seen what, if any further steps will be taken within RTE following the publication of the report.