Newly released data compiled for RTÉ encompassing the final months of 2024 show that just 40% of the public had the perception that RTÉ overall is "trustworthy", while 81% maintained that RTÉ is "valuable to Irish society".The figures were released under Freedom of Information by RTÉ to Dr Mark Cullinane, a post-doctoral sociologist who is writing a book on Irish public service media.Dr Cullinane's view on the stark gap between these two figures is that the public has a nuanced view on the strengths and weaknesses of RTÉ.This has been seen in other data, such as the 'trust' in RTÉ News and Current Affairs.In the recent Digital News Report Ireland 2024, the research found that public trust in the national broadcaster's news coverage has increased by 1% since 2023 to 72%, making RTÉ News and Current Affairs and the Irish Times (also at 72%) the two most trusted media outlets in Ireland.The figures released under FOI to Dr Cullinane illustrate the fluctuations of the two metrics, 'trust' in RTÉ overall and 'value to society' across 2024.In the letter releasing the data from RTÉ, dated 13 January it states that the information is being released "in the spirit of openness and transparency".In the first survey, the results covering the earlier months of 2024, (Q2), showed that the percentage of the public who maintained the perception that RTÉ is valuable to Irish society was 69%.By the end of 2024, that figure had risen significantly again to 81%.In the second survey, on the public's perception of RTÉ being trustworthy, however in mid-2024, (Q2) just 37% agreed with the statement.That figure rose to 45% later in 2024, (Q3) but fell again at the end of the 2024, (Q4) to 40%.Dr Cullinane explained that he was interested in the two areas of 'trust' and 'value to society' as they pertain to two elements of RTÉ’s overall performance commitments.As part of its "reset of the level of ambition" RTÉ’s own stated target for 2024 was to "grow public perception that RTÉ is valuable to Irish society to 77% and that RTÉ is trustworthy, to 52%".Dr Cullinane said that the "headline finding" of the public trust metric suggests that "a recovery in organisational trust since the crisis of 2023 has stalled at what is arguably a dangerously low level".However, in relation to the metric around perceived value to society, Dr Cullinane says that this figure is "far more resilient across 2023 and 2024" noting that it is at a two year high at 81% by the end of 2024.In response to these findings, RTÉ Director General, Kevin Bakhurst said: "It is an absolute focus for me and the leadership team to rebuild public trust in RTÉ and demonstrate to our audience the substantial changes we have made to the organisation. 40% is not good enough."He added: "However, I remain pleased to see the much higher trust levels for our News and Current Affairs and the overwhelming recognition of RTÉ's role in Irish society."Mr Bakhurst also noted "the distinction between trust in RTÉ, the organisation - and trust in RTÉ's News and Current Affairs content where the scores remain high."RTÉ's 2023 Annual Report highlights that 70% of Irish adults agreed RTÉ provides trusted News and Current Affairs, and 72% agreed that RTÉ generates national debate and gets people talking.RTÉ’s statement also included that it is notable that notwithstanding the negative impacts on public perception of the organisation’s corporate reputation, sentiment in 2023 did not translate to a diminution in engagement with RTÉ’s services and content, with audience figures for RTÉ TV, Radio and Player all seeing growth in the past 12 months.
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