Ryan publishes Broadcasting Bill 2008

[thebrom]

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan today announced the publication of the new Broadcasting Bill.

The Bill provides for the establishment of a single content regulator, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which will assume the roles currently held by the BCI and the BCC, as well as a range of new functions. These new functions primarily relate to the oversight of public service broadcasters.

The Bill also amends legislation regarding public service broadcasters and the allocation of public funding. It modernises and revises the legislation relating to RTÉ and TG4 and sets up the framework for two new public service broadcasters – an Irish Film Channel and Oireachtas channel.

The Bill introduces a number of proposals to protect the interests of viewers and listeners. This includes a ‘right of reply’ mechanism whereby individuals who feel their reputations have been damaged may have this corrected in a further broadcast. There is also provision for the establishment by RTÉ and TG4 of Audience Councils to represent the views of listeners and viewers.

The Bill proposes some new approaches in relation to codes and rules for broadcasting in Ireland, in particular relating to food advertising aimed at children. "This is something which I have long advocated and is a welcome development," said the Minister. Other pertinent proposals relate to the modernisation of radio licences including the option of ‘fast-tracked’ applications, licence enforcement, legal definitions regarding TV licence and contract awards.

An Oireachtas channel? The excitement!

I don't think the provision for advertising junk food to children is strong enough. It gives the Broadcasting Authority power to ban it, but the legislation itself does not ban it.
What do you think?

[Pidge]

I was quite chuffed by this, when I read about it. If I ever want to watch the Dáil or Seanad, I just look at the website, but there's a lot of great stuff about regulation there. A right of reply, as usually seen in print media will be brought in. The idea that it's not the government, but the parliament which appoints people to RTÉ's governing authority is quite good, as it'll diminish (to some extent) and make transparent government appointments. There's also a removal of a state body, as we get one unified Broadcasting Authority, which replaces the other two.

I'm interested in the Irish Film Channel - I wonder what it'll be like?

[FutureTaoiseach]

Oireachtas Channel is a great idea. The license-fee should be abolished however. It's unfair to commercial rivals.

[thebrom]

Oireachtas Channel is a great idea. The license-fee should be abolished however. It's unfair to commercial rivals.

Doesn't much of the license fee go to TG4 and Radio na Gaeltachta, heavy loss making organisations?

[FutureTaoiseach]

Oireachtas Channel is a great idea. The license-fee should be abolished however. It's unfair to commercial rivals.

Doesn't much of the license fee go to TG4 and Radio na Gaeltachta, heavy loss making organisations?

Not sure. But I do believe that being mollycoddled by the license-fee can only encourage inefficiency. Advertising revenue should keep RTE afloat, and they could in turn keep the other 2 afloat. They should probably be merged with RTE.

[thebrom]

Oireachtas Channel is a great idea. The license-fee should be abolished however. It's unfair to commercial rivals.

Doesn't much of the license fee go to TG4 and Radio na Gaeltachta, heavy loss making organisations?

Not sure. But I do believe that being mollycoddled by the license-fee can only encourage inefficiency. Advertising revenue should keep RTE afloat, and they could in turn keep the other 2 afloat. They should probably be merged with RTE.

I think RTE should pay for one or two big programmes to be aired on TG4, which would give them the necessary advertising revenue to turn a profit. TG4 currently have the OC and Hector as their big hitters. Give them DH and they're set.

[Rocky]

I was quite chuffed by this, when I read about it. If I ever want to watch the Dáil or Seanad, I just look at the website, but there's a lot of great stuff about regulation there. A right of reply, as usually seen in print media will be brought in. The idea that it's not the government, but the parliament which appoints people to RTÉ's governing authority is quite good, as it'll diminish (to some extent) and make transparent government appointments. There's also a removal of a state body, as we get one unified Broadcasting Authority, which replaces the other two.

I'm interested in the Irish Film Channel - I wonder what it'll be like?

The parliament is controlled by the government, so it doesn't make much difference.

Two new channels is good though.

[Christine Murray]

Messrs Ryan and Gormley have been involved in a 'Playful' boycott
with a National radio station- their propensities to involve themselves in open and transparent
government went out the window long ago.

They have both shown an incredible ability to ignore voters and grassroots in a slavish
attempt to be like FF- what intrigues me at the moment is their utter silence on
Lisbon...
Cowen wants a cabinet cull of all anti-lisbonites and the Greens are disallowed a position
on the Treaty. Eamon Ryan is not an interesting politician at all. He would put alisatair
campbell to shame if he had the brains (which he does not)

[certain_people]

Messrs Ryan and Gormley have been involved in a 'Playful' boycott
with a National radio station- their propensities to involve themselves in open and transparent
government went out the window long ago.

They have both shown an incredible ability to ignore voters and grassroots in a slavish
attempt to be like FF- what intrigues me at the moment is their utter silence on
Lisbon...
Cowen wants a cabinet cull of all anti-lisbonites and the Greens are disallowed a position
on the Treaty. Eamon Ryan is not an interesting politician at all. He would put alisatair
campbell to shame if he had the brains (which he does not)

Awwwwww, you're so funny. Peekaboo!

[Evil Eco-Fascist]

Oireachtas Channel is a great idea. The license-fee should be abolished however. It's unfair to commercial rivals.

Doesn't much of the license fee go to TG4 and Radio na Gaeltachta, heavy loss making organisations?

Because of course RTÉ itself is well known as an organisation that makes big profits and provides great value for money for the tax-payer, when you exclude TG4/Raidió na Gaeltachta.