This is a subscriber-only article
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has rejected seven complaints regarding a segment on RTÉ’s Late Late Show where cyclists were referred to as “farm animals”.
The segment was aired on 12 January 2017 and panellists were invited to state what things they would 'bin' for the New Year.
TV presenter Maura Derrane nominated cyclists stating: “I like cycling but one thing that really bothers me is three or four cyclists abreast on a country road, where there’s no need. Because I mean are you in competition with a car? You’re never going to be faster, and it’s almost to piss people off that they do it,” she said.
James Kavanagh, a popular social media user, then referred to cyclists as being “like farm animals".
“Sheep or cows or whatever – they don’t move and the cyclists are like that as well.”
One of the complaints stated that the programme presenter encouraged and magnified "hate speech" that was aimed at dehumanising people who cycle.
In rejecting the complaints, the broadcaster said that it was a comedic and light-hearted segment in which guests were asked to nominate their pet hates and this editorial context was made clear to the audience.
They highlighted that the comparison of cyclists with farm animals was in the context of cyclists three or four abreast blocking the roads and that none of the panellists condemned all cyclists, nor was there any encouragement to cause harm to cyclists.
SHARING OPTIONS: