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Diamond: experience
O'Rourke: interviewer
November 15, 2009
VOL 26 NO 46
Anyone big enough to fill these Little shoes?
Speculation is rife in Montrose on who is going to get one of the most prestigious jobs in journalism, writes Conor McMorrow
Shanley: rising star
Mark Little
Richard Crowley
George Lee
Bryan Dobson
WHEN ONE of RTé Prime Time's stalwart presenters Mark Little announced his departure from the programme last weekend, attention shifted to his successor. It is one of the most prestigious positions in Irish journalism. But who will take Little's place?
Will one of his understudies on the Prime Time team - Keelin Shanley or Donagh Diamond - be given the role or will management at the station offer the position to a more seasoned 'pro'?
Staff on the station's flagship current affairs programme were surprised to hear that their highly-regarded colleague is taking a year's leave of absence from the national broadcaster to pursue an innovative new media project.
After 18 years in RTé, that has included a stint in Washington as the station's US correspondent, Little has decided to leave RTé at Christmas to undertake a project that will combine digital and global journalism. With his departure, the wheels of the rumour mill are in motion and opinions are divided on his successor.
It is understood that, like all media organisations, the financial situation in RTé is such that it is highly unlikely that station chiefs will look outside the organisation for Little's replacement and they are more likely to opt for somebody who is already on the RTé payroll.
A senior RTé executive, who has lengthy experience in editorial and management positions in RTé, said, "There is no obvious successor to Mark Little, so it is worth keeping in mind that it could be a consideration that Miriam would continue to do the show on her own. This is not out of the question given the financial situation in RTé.
"Given that there may be only a minor chance that this will occur, Donagh Diamond may be considered as he has experience of anchoring the programme in the studio.
"Keelin Shanley is seen as the rising star in current affairs and the only thing that would go against her is that management may be reluctant to have two female presenters. It is worth bearing in mind that having two male leads was not exceptional in the past so this is not out of the question.
"Keelin is very talented and has the advantage of being young enough to look fresh and also have the maturity to be an anchor.
"It is a given that the position will be filled by someone from inside RTé and that takes us to the newsroom if the position is not filled by Keelin or Donagh. Seán O'Rourke and Richard Crowley would be the forerunners there and Bryan Dobson if he is interested in it.
"Seán O'Rourke is the best interviewer around and he is very tough and effective on his lunchtime radio show and The Week in Politics. Richard Crowley is very credible but he has resisted regular positions like that in the past so he may be interested in sticking to This Week on Radio One on a Sunday.
"Apart from these, David McCullagh, the political correspondent, who is highly regarded, will be considered. Robert Shortt is seen as dependable."
Another RTé insider said, "Seán Whelan would have been ideal for it but he has just been appointed to George Lee's job [economics editor] so that probably puts him out of the running."
It has been reported that the station's former chief news correspondent Charlie Bird may return from the US. His name has been mooted for the role but informed sources in RTé have poured cold water on this speculation.
It is understood that even though Little is taking a one-year leave of absence and a job will be kept open for him in RTé, his position will not necessarily be held open. One RTé insider explained that if, for example, there was a general election in six months time and George Lee was to lose his seat as a Fine Gael TD for Dublin South, then he could return to RTé but he would not necessarily return to the role of economics editor.
"A leave of absence keeps a job open in RTé but not a position," said the insider.
Very disappointed
A spokesman for RTé News and Current Affairs said, "Fortunately Mark is not leaving for a while yet. That gives us the time to carry out an overall review of the programme and decide what the best way forward is."
A senior RTé manager, who did not wish to be named, said, "There has not been a lot of chat on campus about who will replace Mark, but the two obvious candidates are Seán O'Rourke and Richard Crowley.
"Both have vast experience and either would offer a very safe pair of hands. If Seán took it, we would have to get a replacement for him on The Week in Politics and for the radio News at One five days a week. Richard is presenting This Week on Radio One on a Sunday and a replacement would also have to be found there. Aside from that both of them are very reliable and you would be 100% confident that either would fit in to the role easily.
"They are the two most likely, unless someone like Bryan Dobson would like a change from the Six-One News and would think that Prime Time would be more prestigious.
"That said, I have no reason to think that is the case.
The executive was eager to point out that "no particular process" to find Little's successor had been put in place and the decision will rest with Ed Mulhall, managing director of news, Ken O'Shea, current affairs editor and possibly Cillian de Paor, managing editor of the TV newsroom.
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