The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have partially upheld two complaints against Newstalk for biased coverage of abortion.

The BAI decision relates to two separate interviews conducted on the same day (10th December 2020) on Newstalk’s Breakfast presented by Ciara Kelly and the Hard Shoulder presented by Mark Cagney.

Newstalk was forced to read out on air apologies referencing the BAI rulings and the fact that both presenters expressed partisan views on abortion.

The Pro-Life Campaign commented said it was  a positive development that the BAI at least partially upheld the two complaints, but added, “it is disappointing that they were not fully upheld as the two programmes were way more biased than the BAI concluded”.

“It raises questions about the relevance of the BAI as currently established since current affairs presenters on radio and TV know they can get away with almost anything provided they hold back on stating their own personal opinions”, a spokesperson said.