RTÉ has appointed experienced producer and journalist David Nally to the newly created position of managing editor of current affairs in television as it continues its restructuring process following the recent ‘Prime Time Investigates’ libel controversy.
Nally, who will take up the position immediately, first joined RTÉ as a reporter in 1994 before training as a producer and director in 2001. He was the first editor of ‘The Frontline’ in 2009 and was previously editor of current affairs from 2003 to 2008. Under his then editorship, ‘Prime Time’ and ‘Prime Time Investigates’ won numerous awards for its programming.
He was also the producer of RTÉ’s programming for the state visits of British monarch Queen Elizabeth and US President Barack Obama last year. In the last 12 months he has worked in the documentary unit as an executive producer and as series producer of the upcoming two-part RTÉ series ‘Battle Station’.
Prior to joining RTÉ, Nally was a reporter with the Sunday Tribune from 1989, becoming the paper's deputy business editor for two years between 1992 to 1994.
In his new role, Nally and the recently-appointed managing director of news and current affairs, Kevin Bakhurst, will choose editors for the ‘Prime Time’ and ‘The Frontline’ programmes, as well as appointing an editor to the new multi-media RTÉ Investigative Unit.
RTÉ director general, Noel Curran, said of the appointment: “David Nally has built a reputation for strong editorial judgement in both broadcasting and print media. He has a commitment to quality current affairs journalism and a range of new ideas for the area.
“He is also one of the most experienced investigative editors in Irish media – a key requirement given RTÉ’s important commitment to re-launch investigative strands of programming across the organisation.”
Nally, who is from Rathfarnham in Dublin, said of his new role: “I am delighted to be returning to current affairs to manage what will undoubtedly be a period of exciting change in the department. RTÉ’s current affairs programming is at the heart of what it means to be a public service broadcaster and it’s important that we continue to drive for quality and creativity in our programming and continue to prioritise strong investigations.
“The department has in place a top-class team of journalists and it’s an honour to be asked to lead them into the future.”
