Only four days before the cut-off date on September 17th for its new local democracy and court reporting programmes, Coimisiún na Meán decided to delegate the deadline to the end of the month. However, this extension is merely nominal for the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) members. In a unanimous decision marked by profound dissatisfaction, they have deemed these programmes — available to print, online, and broadcast mediums — as ineffective.
Recognising the current multi-year financing contract with RTÉ, the IBI urgently beckons the Government to intervene to establish equity within the media industry. The members, comprising of 34 stations, are disappointed by the lack of Governmental support for critical news and reporting services in the radio industry which largely thrives on advertising.
The two recently launched journalism funding schemes, having been deliberated over for years, appear more beneficial for print mediums, the same mediums that secured a VAT exemption from the Government in the previous two budgets. However, Media Minister Catherine Martin hinted in the Dáil that there might be a recourse for the radio industry, which involves modifying the regulator’s sound and vision scheme to fund key news and current affairs. Considering this requires the European Commission’s approval, it’s not expected to materialise immediately.
Meanwhile, there is a forthcoming budget and a pending general election. After urgent negotiations with Coimisiún na Meán and Martin’s department failed despite the IBI’s attempts to express their concerns and suggestions, it is now up to the numerous election candidates to wholeheartedly interact with the media in their respective constituencies.
The IBI, apart from advocating for the leading national stations such as Newstalk and Today FM owned by Bauer, also represents the interests of several local stations, which have a major share of listeners in their allocated regions. With its member stations constituting 70% of the radio listenership, aspiring TDs making appearance mid-campaign might find themselves answering probing questions about equitable media funding.