Sir, - At RTE Radio we are quite used to critics taking a swipe. It is all part of the business and we are well able to handle it. But there are just a few points I must, in terms of accuracy, respond to following Harry Browne's radio column of October 28th. RTE Radio 1's new evening programme, Five Seven Live, has not involved pushing music from the evening schedule. In fact the change, which is aimed at providing a strong information-based programme across the two hours, has meant there is now a music programme from 3.30 to 5 p.m. (the Ronan Collins Show) and Five Seven Live is followed by a music strand which includes country, world music, folk, rock, traditional and contemporary music programmes from Monday to Friday.
RTE Radio 1's commitment to providing variety and diversity is evident in the range of programming we provide in both speech and music. - Yours, etc.,
Director of Radio, RTE, Dublin 4.