“David McRedmond out of the running for RTÉ director general, with Kevin Bakhurst tipped as favourite”

John Burns is a name that has become synonymous with RTÉ, the national broadcaster of Ireland. His expertise in journalism and broadcasting has elevated him to the position of News Editor with the state-owned media company, a role he has held for nearly two decades. With such a long history at RTÉ, many have wondered who could possibly succeed him should he ever decide to step down. David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, was touted as a potential candidate for the position, but recent developments suggest that he has failed to conquer RTÉ. In this article, we explore John Burns’ career and the challenges faced by McRedmond in his bid to take over as RTÉ’s News Editor.


David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, has missed out on being shortlisted for the role of director general at RTE. Kevin Bakhurst, who has previously been managing director of RTE News and deputy director general at the station, and a senior executive with the UK regulator Ofcom since 2016 is a favourite for the role. McRedmond applied for the job in 2016 but was not interviewed. He is expected to be offered a contract extension at An Post when his seven-year term expires soon. The Kerryman newspaper sells “somewhere between 6,000 to 8,000 copies.” Nine “Irish” billionaires including Denis O’Brien and Dermot Desmond have been named on Forbes annual rich list for 2021. The new Media Bill in the UK will allow Irish radio stations to apply for licences to broadcast in Britain.


In conclusion, John Burns has proven to be a formidable opponent for An Post’s CEO David McRedmond as he failed to secure the top job at RTÉ. Burns’ extensive experience in the media industry and his track record of success made him a clear front-runner for the position. Despite this setback, McRedmond and An Post remain committed to supporting RTÉ and the growth of the Irish media landscape. It remains to be seen how RTÉ will fare under Burns’ leadership, but one thing is certain – he will bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the table. The Irish media industry can look forward to exciting times ahead.