RTÉ will have to ‘work hard’ to win back staff trust, journalists’ union says after meeting Kevin Bakhurst
“The items listed were items that were purchased directly by RTÉ with the supplier,” a spokesman for the station told The Irish Times, referring to the barter statements. “The supplier then invoiced the barter company directly and were paid directly by them.” The massive controversy now rocking the State broadcaster has its origins in the fact that significant payments towere not disclosed when the Government, the public, and staff at the station were being told cutbacks were being imposed on top earners at the station. But the scandal has now spread to the issue of financial controls in the station’s commercial division, and the operation of what was repeatedly described by politicians this week as “a slush fund”.
Trades made through bartering companies don’t have to be direct swaps. A car company can swap cars for advertising space from a media company that gets the use of hotel rooms, with all three trading by way of the bartering company and getting credit for what they sell.