Sarah McInerney repsonds to backlash after Kneecap interview
Sarah McInerney has responded to criticism following her interview with Kneecap's management following their controversial Coachella gigs.
The Belfast trio made headlines in recent weeks following their gigs at the Californian music festival, with the live-stream of their first gig cut after an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant began.
Taking to the stage for a second weekend, the rappers were surrounded by screens projecting references to genocide, denunciations of Israel and calls to 'Free Palestine.' The Belfast trio made headlines in recent weeks following their gigs at the Californian music festival, with the live-stream of their first gig cut after an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant began. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Amongst those put out by Kneecap's gigs was Sharon Osbourne who called on the band's US work visas to be revoked as she claimed they 'openly support terrorist organisations.'
During the week, Kneecap's manager Daniel Lambert defended the trio on RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, noting 'somewhere between 50 to 100,000 people have been murdered.'
'If somebody is offended by what were factual images, and you know, if somebody is hurt by the truth, that's something for them to be hurt by but it's really important to speak the truth.' Amongst those put out by Kneecap's gigs was Sharon Osbourne who called on the band's US work visas to be revoked as she claimed they 'openly support terrorist organisations.' Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
A clip was shared to the Radio 1 social media with many taking to the comments hitting out at Sarah's line of questioning in the interview.
One branded it 'cringeworthy journalism' as they noted the Galway woman was 'capable of doing better.'
Another added that it was a 'very poor line of questioning' from the journalist, while a third wrote that she 'embarrassed herself.' View this post on Instagram
A post shared by RTÉ Radio 1 (@rteradio1)
Responding to the backlash, Sarah took to social media to share a short video explaining that RTÉ is 'bound to represent a wide variety of views.'
She said: 'Hi folks, a lot of people in touch about the interview I did earlier in the week with Kneecap and quite a few people asking why it was that I gave the Israeli government's point of view when Kneecap criticised what Israel is doing in Gaza.
'The simple answer is RTÉ is bound by Coimisiún na Meán guidelines and that says that a presenter should represent a wide variety of views on a subject that is being discussed and also represent the views of those who cannot or refuse to be present.'
She attached a screenshot of the guidelines, reiterating that that was the 'answer' surrounding the provision of the Israeli perspective.
The explanation wasn't accepted by many who hit out at Sarah for following RTÉ's guidelines, with one writing: 'Well then it's time to ask yourself, are you a journalist or a script reader?'
Another added: 'With respect, there is also an obligation to place greater emphasis on the facts, not the narrative and to centre the discussion on the facts and what international experts are saying and have been saying for 18 months.'
A third commented: 'So why don't you cover Russia/Ukraine war the same way?'
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