The leader of FF in the Seanad, Donie Cassidy thinks that RTE Radio 1 is not balanced – that’s balanced in favour of the government obviously. He obviously a supporter of Faux RTE – closely related to Faux News.

The Senator thinks that from 7.30 in the morning until the evening there is too much whingeing going on. I wonder why the first half hour of Morning Ireland gets omitted in his critique? The Leader of the House went on to say that politicians have some say in RTE but did not elaborate on the nature of the ‘say’.

Cassidy gives an exoneration to Ronan Collins – showband influenced politics rears it’s head again.

Has he actually listened to Ronan Collins? Ronan moans and complains all the time about modern music, remixes and the like. He was at it yesterday about a Frankie Valli remix he wouldn’t play. (Ok I hadn’t switched my dial over from Pat Kenny to Newstalk’s Lunchtime Show and heard him – no I don’t usually listen because frankly he’s a moan!!!) Newstalk does not receive licence fee money, so won’t be labelled a whine until someone points out it’s owned by Dennis O’Brien.

So the knives are out for RTE. Liveline has been getting it for a few weeks now and I expect Pat Kenny, Morning Ireland and Drivetime to get it too. Rick won’t be safe either in his show which is peppered with texts and responses on how to ‘beat the recession/worst thing to happen to you ever/get advice on emigration/ways to dump yer girlfriend/get back at your cheating boyfriend splashed with pop culture which might poke fun at government/state we are in etc. etc.

(Disclosure: I was nearly on Liveline today to whine about something but some funny dog story bumped me.)