Bryan Dobson shares retirement plans & discusses RTE’s ‘crisis of confidence’

RETIRING anchorman Bryan Dobson told how Kevin Bakhurst needs to “address this major crisis of confidence” in RTÉ.

The journalist, who lives in Dublin’s Portobello, decided to finish early because he wanted to retire in the summer.

Broadcaster Bryan told Sean on Insights with Sean O’Rourke that RTÉ crisis has been “enormously damaging”.

He said: “I don’t think really RTÉ ever been through anything quite like this this recent crisis. I mean, there’s been crises in the past.

“So I don’t think it’s ever been a crisis quite like it. I think just from working inside the Newsroom, it’s certainly morale has taken a hit.

“But again, I think because we’re involved in daily journalism, you don’t have a whole lot of time to cogitate on these kinds of things, you just get on with covering the story.”

After 37 years in the RTÉ newsroom, the Six One anchor discussed the salary cap in Montrose.

Bryan said: “The BBC, which is a public broadcaster, pays its top stars big money and feels it has to do that in order to retain Graham Norton or whoever it might be, they feel they have to be rewarded if they’re going to keep turning up and doing it for the BBC.

“But I just think in in the climate or at the moment I don’t think Kevin Bakhurst has any alternative.

“I think he just has to address this major crisis of confidence in RTE.

“There’s huge political pressure on RTE and action needs to be taken that is demonstrably going to help to restore political and public confidence.”

Bryan hung up his microphone last month after 37 years, signing off with: “Dobbo has left the building.”

The dad-of-two admitted he’s open to other work outside of the media world.

He said: “I don’t have any particular plans, but certainly I’d be. I’m less restricted now of what I might be able to do…but I’m taking it easy. I’m not particularly out there looking for other activities.

“I think if I was to do other work (outside media) that actually would interest me more maybe than going back into the media world.

“I feel I’ve had a really good run at that and maybe I’d like to do things that are different now.”