RT is proud to celebrate 50 years of delivering accessible news to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community this week. On January 6, 1975, RT made history by broadcasting its first-ever News for the Deaf, marking a milestone not only for Ireland, but for European broadcasting. The bulletin has evolved today to RT News with ISL, which is broadcast seven days a week and watched by close to 100,000 viewers each day.
The news bulletin, developed in consultation with the National Association for Deaf People (now Chime), was the first of its kind. Featuring a news announcer summarising the day's news accompanied by an on-screen script, the initiative was reported as the first in Europe to provide a dedicated daily news service for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Ahead of the launch in 1975, deaf children and adults came to RT and experimented with newsroom staff in the types of presentation style that suited them, from reading the script on screen to lip reading what the presenter was saying.
Watch an extract from RT Archives of News for the Deaf' in 1982 as an example of the original format, with the late Colm Connolly reading the news here: RT Archives | Media | RT Broadcasts First News for the Deaf
Today, RT News with ISL service features a member of the RT News ISL team signing the day's news headlines in the main news studio, accompanied by an on-screen script, voiced by a news presenter.
Speaking on the anniversary, Deirdre McCarthy, Managing Director of RT News & Current Affairs said: RT aims to ensure that everyone in Ireland has access to news and information. This 50-year journey is a testament to inclusivity and innovation. We are deeply grateful for the collaboration with organisations like Chime and The Irish Deaf Society that ensure we represent everyone.
Lianne Quigley, Chair of the Irish Deaf Society and member of the RT ISL News team said: It is important to reflect on how far we have come as RT celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first news for the Deaf. Before 1992, RT began its journey with news presented through lip-reading, but the launch of daily ISL news in 1992 was groundbreaking. This milestone paralleled a societal shift in attitudes toward Irish Sign Language. The challenging and long path to ISL recognition in 2017 was a major milestone for inclusion and equality. Daily ISL news remains vital in providing the Deaf community in Ireland with full access to national news in their own language.
On a personal note, I am delighted to have joined the ISL news team last month-one of the most amazing jobs I could have asked for. It's a privilege to contribute to this work, continuing to break barriers and ensure representation for the Deaf community
Looking ahead, RT remains dedicated to enhancing accessibility to ensure greater access to information for all.
ENDS
Date: Monday, 06 January 2025
Notes to Editors:
News for the Deaf first aired on January 6, 1975.
RT was the first broadcaster in Europe to introduce a daily news service for the Deaf and hard of hearing.
Link to RT archive RT Archives | Media | RT Broadcasts First News for the Deaf
Images:
Above top left Colm Connelly presenting the News for the Deaf in 1982
Above top right Lianne Quigley signing RT News ISL 2025
Above bottom left Sarah Jane Maloney signing RT News with Signing 2012
Below: RT News ISL team members Senan Dunne and Caroline McGrotty
RT Communications: Laura Fitzgerald
Senan Dunne by City Headshots Dublin Caroline McGrotty by City Headshots Dublin
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RT is proud to celebrate 50 years of delivering accessible news to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community this week. On January 6, 1975, RT made history by broadcasting its first-ever News for the Deaf, marking a milestone not only for Ireland, but for European broadcasting. The bulletin has evolved today to RT News with ISL, which is broadcast seven days a week and watched by close to 100,000 viewers each day.
