Anti-vaxxers have blasted RTE and Ryan Tubridy for “using children” to promote a Covid-19 vaccine on the Late Late Toy Show.
RTE fielded a flurry of complaints last week from conspiracy theorists who claimed the show was promoting a coronavirus vaccine.
And the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) also received two complaints about a “perceived promotion of vaccines,” the Sunday Independent reports.
It comes after the Irish Mirror reported that the country’s leading politicians – including Micheal Martin, Leo Varadkar and Mary Lou McDonald – are willing to be vaccinated live on air.
Toy Show host Tubridy has also said he’s willing to take the vaccine on air, but comments made on programme – when a child referred to a vaccine – rubbed clearly stirred up sensitive emotions in some.
The BAI has referred the complainants to RTE, though they can revert back if they’re unhappy with the response received.
An RTE spokeswoman said the “vast majority” of the accusations are classified as feedback, rather than formal complaints.
The Toy Show had over 1.7 million viewers, spread across 138 countries – making it one of the most-watched TV shows on a single channel.
The backlash comes after several protests in recent months from anti-mask activists and those who believe Covid-19 isn’t as serious as it’s being made out to be.
For the most part, though, last week’s Toy Show received a hugely positive response from the public, with many hailing the children who appeared on the programme.
Adam King, a young boy from Cork, was widely agreed to have stolen the hearts of the country with an adorable appearance on the show.
And the six-year-old was back again on Friday night, appearing on the Late Late and meeting his hero Chris Hadfield in the process.
Adam has brittle bone syndrome, but Chris reassured him he has his “whole life” to prepare for a career of some sort with NASA.
