Technology journalist Karlin Lillington has been appointed to the new RTÉ Authority by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD.
Canada-born and California-reared Lillington, currently a technology correspondent with The Irish Times, began her local technology writing career with The Sunday Business Post. She also runs her own blog, Techno-Culture. She has also contributed to international publications including The Guardian and Wired.
Other appointees to the new RTÉ Authority include Tom Savage, current chairman of the Communications Clinic; Patricia Quinn, former CEO of the Arts Council; Fergus Armstrong, former chairman, McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors; film and documentary maker Alan Gilsenan; Seán O’Sullivan, managing director of Seabrook Research Ltd; Emer Finnan, director of strategic development at EBS; and Cathal Goan, director general, RTÉ .
Discussing the appointments, Minister Ryan said he hoped the new authority would breathe an air of creativity into the state broadcaster, as well as providing a more inclusive national news service.
“The public pay for the RTÉ service and I believe that the Authority should focus on allowing RTÉ the freedom to cover the smallest story, to go to the furthest village and to delve deep to find the truth,” he said.
“In this search, RTÉ must continue to be a trusted source for the Irish public and act in a balanced, fair and responsible manner.
“RTÉ should continue to develop talent inside and outside of its organisation to help our indigenous film, television and radio sector to flourish. The Authority should work to further develop a creative atmosphere in Montrose, with which our broadcasters can hold up a mirror to every aspect of Irish life.
“RTÉ also has a central role in developing our transmission infrastructure to ensure that the state can direct its own broadcasting industry in a sustainable, long-term way,” said Ryan.
By John Kennedy
