RTE have refused to say whether or not licence fee payers’ money went to Michaella McCollum or her family for her first TV interview.
The Tyrone native made a highly publicised appearance on RTE One for her first televised interview since being released from prison for drug trafficking.
According to Independent.ie, the broadcaster has insisted that they didn’t pay Michaella for the interview but have refused to comment on whether her family received a fee or if money was given to the Michaella McCollum Fund.
We can confirm for viewers that Michaella McCollum was not paid to do this interview.
— RTE One (@RTEOne) April 3, 2016
Many viewers were left enraged after the 23-year-old’s interview aired on Sunday April 3.
Some felt Michaella’s interview was too soft and focused on frivolous matters like her new blonde hairstyle.
When asked if her family had benefited financially from the interview, an RTE spokesman said:
“I won’t be adding to what I said earlier,” he told the Irish Independent.
“Michaella McCollum did not get paid for the interview and any other production and staffing costs are commercially sensitive and won’t be disclosed.”
”We won’t be disclosing any production costs around the documentary.”
