JOURNALISM GUIDELINES - RTÉ

14.3 Doorstepping without Prior Approach
Mandatory Obligation 19
Any proposal to doorstep an individual or organisation, whether in person
or on the phone, where we have not previously tried to make an
appointment for an interview, must be approved in writing by the
relevant Managing Director. This does not apply to daily newsgathering
or regular current affairs practices of interviewing politicians leaving
meetings and the like.
Approval will normally only be given if:
there is clear evidence of significant wrongdoing, and
it has not been possible to request an interview, or
there is good reason to believe that an investigation will be frustrated or
allegations avoided (for example, because those under investigation
might go out of contact) if a prior approach is made.
Consideration must be given to both the timing and the consequences of such
doorsteps. It must always be possible to assess and evaluate any new
information or legal intervention prior to transmission.
Page | 30