Anthony Murnane – Q&A

Name?
Anthony Murnane, deputy foreign editor and newscaster RTE.

Age
40

Where are you from?
Originally Greystones in Co. Wicklow but currently live in south Dublin.

How did you get started in Broadcasting?
I began writing for local newspapers and broadcasting on local radio when I was at school, aged 14. I went on to work on pirate radio and then moved on from radio night shifts to become the breakfast show news presenter on RTE’s national Irish music radio station Radio 2. Then worked as TV reporter, presneter and programme editor before moving to foreign desk.

When was that?
It was aged 14 in 1984.

Why News Broadcasting?
The unknown, the urgency, being the first to know, being the person to inform, enjoying the buzz of live tv.

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?
RTE TV and Radio News bulletins.

What is your Best on-air moment?
Presenting rolling news coverage of the 9/11 attacks on RTE TV from 14.00-18.00 on that fateful day.

What is your Worst on-air moment?
Losing my breath on a radio bulletin after running to the studio and corpsing on TV after a story about a dancing a cow in Spain.

What would you like to do before your career ends?
I would like to work in a rolling news format at some point which would draw on my reporting skills in an on air capacity.

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?
Start young, be keen, get experience early on, make contacts and sell yourself. College is an option but innate talent and perseverance can also triumph.

A big thanks to Anthony for taking part. Anthony submitted this Q and A in August 2009.

Posted by on Wednesday 5 August 2009