The head of a public relations body in the Republic has warned of the dangers of a social media pile-on as the BBC and RTÉ remain at the centre of high-profile scandals.
Huw Edwards was named on Wednesday as the BBC presenter alleged to have paid a young person £35,000 for explicit photos.
Privacy laws had prevented him being named, but his wife released a statement after five days of intense speculation in the press and social media.
The void of information saw abuse directed at other well-known BBC presenters and Mr Edwards has now been admitted to hospital after suffering a serious mental health episode.
While police have said there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, a BBC investigation is ongoing.
The Sun newspaper is also facing ethical questions on how it first broke the story last week.
In Ireland, the RTÉ payments scandal rumbles on with Dublin bars even screening presenter Ryan Tubridy’s evidence to the Oireachtas committee, in which he claimed the scrutiny of being "cancelled" had made him feel unable to leave his home.
Concerns over the transparency of payments of €345,000 to Mr Tubridy has shaken public confidence in RTÉ, while questions remain as to whether the former Late Late show should be sacked.
Read more
- Huw Edwards: How was the story reported and what will be investigated now?
- Ryan Tubridy finding it ‘hard to leave the house' amid RTE scandal
Dr Martina Byrne is the CEO of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.
Commenting on the coverage in both the UK and Ireland, she told The Irish News that the demand for instant information could be dangerous.
“For both RTÉ and the BBC, the common denominator seems to be a rush and speed that leads to speculation and simplification of the issues,” she said.
“I think we’re all agreed they’re both very complex situations. When you see one piece of coverage in broadcast or print being contradicted or completely challenged within hours, I think the danger is that the audience starts to lose trust in the media channels themselves and I think that has to be a concern for everybody.”
She continued: “The amplification that social media can give that speculation, suddenly you have everybody with a phone in their pocket and messages coming through about all sorts of things that, frankly, you wouldn’t dare to say to somebody’s face."
A different element to the UK coverage was a toxic combination of privacy laws preventing Mr Edwards from being named, while pressure to come forward increased as suspicion fell on others.
“I did notice that and could only feel for the other BBC presenters. It was just a feeding frenzy of rumour and speculation," said Dr Byrne.
“I have no doubt the lawyers will be kept busy for some time because of some of the commentary, particularly on social media.
“There were pile-ons against well-known individuals. I don’t know what the solution to that is other than appealing for people to calm down and wait for the facts to be established.
“I guess it’s the reality of the times we live in. I think any of us can only feel for all of the parties involved, including the young people and their families.
“They have been at the centre of a whirlpool and frenzy and that’s not good or healthy for anybody.”
