RTE’s “the asylum” an outrageous disgrace!

[TKwhiskers]

RTE's the Asylum, One Day At A Time: New observational series set in St. Ita's Mental Institution, known as Portrane. The first edition looks at long-stay patients, some of whom have been in Portrane for over 50 years

This has to be one of the most outrageous programs RTE has ever broadcast. Turning the weakest sections of society into prime time entertainment is an utter disgrace.

The named people being filmed clearly don’t have the capacity to consent; the invasion of their privacy is nothing short of abuse. The people involved in making this program should hang their heads in shame and the medical professionals involved should be fired for allowing their patients to be exploited in the name of entertainment!

[angelcountry]

RTE's the Asylum, One Day At A Time: New observational series set in St. Ita's Mental Institution, known as Portrane. The first edition looks at long-stay patients, some of whom have been in Portrane for over 50 years

This has to be one of the most outrageous programs RTE has ever broadcast. Turning the weakest sections of society into prime time entertainment is an utter disgrace.

The named people being filmed clearly don’t have the capacity to consent; the invasion of their privacy is nothing short of abuse. The people involved in making this program should hang their heads in shame and the medical professionals involved should be fired for allowing their patients to be exploited in the name of entertainment!

[ChrIreland]

RTE's the Asylum, One Day At A Time: New observational series set in St. Ita's Mental Institution, known as Portrane. The first edition looks at long-stay patients, some of whom have been in Portrane for over 50 years

This has to be one of the most outrageous programs RTE has ever broadcast. Turning the weakest sections of society into prime time entertainment is an utter disgrace.

The named people being filmed clearly don’t have the capacity to consent; the invasion of their privacy is nothing short of abuse. The people involved in making this program should hang their heads in shame and the medical professionals involved should be fired for allowing their patients to be exploited in the name of entertainment!

I could not agree more. Disgraceful that these poor people are made an exhibition of for so called "entertainment".

[Ernie]

Absolutely right. Just watching the TV near the PC and I agree fully. Theres no way these people could have given their consent. Asking an interviewee was she mad, in a psychiatric hospital is an outrage. Don't know who the producer is but it's certainly pushing the boat out. Too far RTE I say, not fair :twisted:

[Biffo]

There must be some form of consent involved when some of the people are blurred out and others are not.
Also proof Adams was in the IRA.

[Pidge]

There must be some form of consent involved when some of the people are blurred out and others are not.

Maybe their power of attorney has been passed on and that person gave consent.

Also proof Adams was in the IRA.

: : :

[TKwhiskers]

There must be some form of consent involved when some of the people are blurred out and others are not.
Also proof Adams was in the IRA.

In one instance it was stated a gentleman had no living relatives, then the they proceeded to interview him. This has to be one of the most distasteful program RTE has ever broadcast. The producer Martin Mahon is a disgrace.

[CharlieBird]

Q&A with Alan Gilsenan - Director

Did you get permission from family members as well as participants themselves?

The whole area of permission is a complex and delicate area, and one which is difficult to generalise about. But fundamentally we had a threefold approach: Firstly, we felt that one must respect the autonomy of the patients themselves, regardless of their mental state. Their views and feelings were of primary importance, and they were given a long period to decide whether they wished to take part, and also to be allowed to change their mind over the course of the year. Secondly, we consulted extensively with the clinical staff and, of course, were guided by their professional views. Thirdly, we consulted with families and loved ones. There is, of course, a certain dilemma in this. If an adult with a mental illness wants to take part but their family disagrees, who has the final say morally? Should people with mental illness be treated like children or should their views be respected? It is a complex ethical question and one which I felt could only be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Generalisations are unhelpful and we had to painstakingly look in detail at each case individually. All programmes are subject to strict legal guidelines but here the ethical view took precedence.

[TKwhiskers]

the ethical view took precedence.

Mentally ill people's privacy was abused for the entertainment of the masses! Is the above statement some kind of sick joke?

[RBinge]

I fully agree. RTE should be scrapped and we should watch showbiz gossip and "true life" TV movies on TV3 instead.












[size=7]
Note: I am being ironic for those with a humour by-pass[/size]