RTÉ News & Current Affairs announce two senior editorial appointments
RTÉ News & Current Affairs has announced two senior editorial appointments aimed at strengthening its coverage of disinformation and public policy, as the national broadcaster sharpens its focus on issues shaping Ireland’s social and economic future.
Journalist Kate McDonald has been appointed Clarity Correspondent, a newly created role within RTÉ’s Clarity initiative, which examines disinformation, public discourse and democracy.
The position reflects growing concern over the spread of false and misleading information online, including AI-generated deepfakes and coordinated digital campaigns that risk undermining democratic norms.
McDonald will report across television, radio and digital platforms, investigating the origins and impact of misleading narratives spanning politics, health and global affairs.
She joined RTÉ in 2023 as a multimedia journalist, working primarily with the current affairs digital unit and reporting to Prime Time.
Before returning to Ireland, she served as Deputy News Editor at Storyful in Australia, specialising in video verification and online investigations.
Earlier in her career, she worked on radio news and television investigations with BBC.
A graduate of Cardiff University with an MA in Broadcast Journalism, she also studied European Studies with Russian at Trinity College Dublin.
Commenting on her appointment, McDonald said she intends to build on her work examining online harms and the real-world consequences of algorithm-driven content and data tracking, with a focus on how digital systems shape public understanding.
In a separate move, Louise Byrne has been appointed Policy & Analysis Correspondent with Prime Time.
In the new role, she will interpret and monitor policy developments from Government, the EU and other institutions, assessing their implications for areas including housing, infrastructure, demographics and the wider economy.
Byrne has been a reporter and stand-in presenter with Prime Time since 2019.
A Politics and Business graduate of Trinity College Dublin, she began her career in local radio before joining RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, later moving into television journalism.
With two decades of experience, Byrne has covered major domestic and international events and previously co-presented Prime Time’s Housing Week special examining Ireland’s housing crisis.
“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge - bringing context, background and analysis on key policy decisions to our viewers.
Louise Byrne
"The State is planning a significant increase in capital spending as part of its plan to boost housing and infrastructure.
"There’s never been a more important time for Prime Time to ensure its sharpest focus on the decisions and projects ahead."
Photo: Journalist Kate McDonald
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