A brand new RTÉ 2FM present offered by The two Johnnies comedy duo is to stay off air, till a overview right into a video with “offensive” feedback about ladies is accomplished, the broadcaster has mentioned.
The presenters, Johnny McMahon and Johnny O’Brien, have apologised for “offensive” feedback made in a video posted on social media, forward of their first RTÉ 2FM drivetime present earlier this week.
The Co Tipperary pair have hosted a podcast beneath their stage identify, The two Johnnies, since 2018. In a latest video clip from the podcast, the 2 presenters learn out a sequence of vulgar automotive bumper stickers despatched into them by listeners, a number of of which included derogatory references to ladies.
The video has since been deleted, and the 2 presenters have apologised for the language within the clip. In an announcement the pair mentioned “this isn’t who we’re nor what we stand for. We purpose to do higher sooner or later. We aren’t good and we’re studying on a regular basis”.
Talking on RTÉ’s Liveline present on Friday, Mr O’Brien, one of many hosts, mentioned a few of the automotive stickers learn out on the podcast had been “crude” and “went too far”.
Whereas the pair had been laughing in the course of the section, he mentioned they’d been “laughing at how dangerous” the automotive sticker slogans had been. The brand new 2FM presenter mentioned as hosts they’d not been “clear sufficient in our condemnation” of the language.
‘Not specialists’
Mr O’Brien mentioned the phrase “ ‘slut’ was not in our vocabulary”, and never the sort of language they might use on the two Johnnies podcast. “We weren’t adequate on this occasion … We don’t condone this sort of factor,” he added.
The video clip had been posted on their social media account by a member of their staff, and “as quickly as we noticed it we took it down”, he mentioned.
The podcast had beforehand mentioned points equivalent to consent, physique picture and sexuality, he mentioned. “We’re all the time making an attempt to be higher … We’re not specialists, and we are saying silly stuff on a regular basis, however we’re making an attempt,” he mentioned.
In an announcement on Thursday, RTÉ mentioned it had begun a “overview” into the matter. “RTÉ believes in dignity and respect and doesn’t tolerate materials or attitudes of this nature,” it mentioned.
A spokeswoman for RTÉ mentioned the 2 presenters would stay off air whereas the matter was reviewed. The spokeswoman couldn’t touch upon how lengthy the overview would take.