Policies and guidelines

RTÉ Journalism Guidelines

RTÉ’s editorial values include a commitment to:
• Operate in the public interest, providing news and current affairs that is fair and impartial, accurate and challenging
• Be honest and transparent in all of our activities
• Take personal responsibility for pursuing the organisation’s goals

These editorial guidelines set out RTÉ’s approach to embedding those values in all our journalistic activity no matter how it is created and however it is received by our audiences. Our guidelines are to be applied in a way which
maintains independence and deserves trust without constraining legitimate journalistic enquiry. To view these guidelines, click here.

RTÉ Social Media Guidelines

All RTÉ staff and contributors should be aware of and should abide by the RTÉ Social Media Guidelines. To view these guidelines, click here.

Programme Classification Information 

RTE operate an onscreen programme classification system to let viewers know more about the content of scheduled programmes. Icons will appear on screen for 20 seconds at the start of each programme which will help people make informed decision to view or not to view.

The four classification categories are:    

(GA) General Audience: Indicates a programme suitable for all ages and tastes

(CH)  Children: Indicates a programme aimed specifically at children, including pre-teen or young teenage audiences

(PS) Parental Supervision: Indicates a programme aimed a mature audience. It might deal with adult themes, be moderately violent or frightening, or contain infrequent bad language. This classification label invites parents or guardians to consider restricting children’s access

(MA) Mature Audience: Indicates a typically post-watershed (9.00pm) programme which might contain scenes of violence, sexual activity, bad language or adult themes.

RTÉ Programme Content Standards Guidelines

These Programme Content Standards Guidelines have been drawn up for all staff and programme-makers and are essential reading. To view, click here.

RTÉ Data Protection Individual Rights Guide

Your privacy and data protection rights are important to RTÉ. As described in the RTÉ Privacy Policy, there are a number of rights which you may exercise under data protection law. This guide explains what these rights are and how to exercise them. To view, click here.

RTÉ Data and Document Retention Policy

This is the data and document Retention Policy of RTÉ and forms part of RTÉ’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) compliance project. to view, click here.

RTÉ Child Protection Policy

RTÉ has written this policy to ensure the safety of all children that we engage with across all aspects of our business. It has been developed in line with the requirements of “Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011”. To view, click here.

RTÉ Code of Business Conduct

The Code of Business Conduct for RTÉ Staff is intended to steer the conduct of RTÉ employees as they carry out business activities. To view the Code, click here.