Claire Byrne: Troublemaker

American broadcasters justifiably complain and fret about the FCC’s content regulation. But here’s a reminder that it could be worse.  A lot worse. Dublin-based  Newstalk 106-108 was recently censured by Ireland’s version of the FCC because morning co-host Claire Byrne called spinster singing sensation Susan Boyle “a freak” and “not right in the head.”   The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland called the comments “inherently offensive,” “disrespectful” and (my favorite) “not editorially supported.”

Newstalk was also found guilty of hosting a “one-sided” panel discussion on an issue related to Ireland’s role in the European Union.  While the station faces no fines or other immediate consequences as a result of the BAI censures, such actions no doubt have a chilling affect on the already mild version of talk radio practiced on the Emerald Isle.

On the flip side, a Newstalk guest recently let loose a full-throated “Bullshit!” in the middle of the broadcast day, and I’m told that incident will likely bring no grief to the station.

So, they have that going for them.