RTÉ may demand TV licence fee from laptop and computer viewers

A TV licence fee may be slapped on people watching RTÉ via their laptops and computers under new broadcasting laws unveiled last night.

The growth of new technology has led to a re-examination of what is considered a TV set in the proposed legislation which will also see the setting up of a new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to oversee RTÉ and privately owned rivals.

The Broadcasting Bill, published by Communications Minister Noel Dempsey, will give people a right of reply mechanism, if they feel their reputation has been damaged by a television or radio programme.

“This provision is intended to provide a proportionate, low cost and expeditious remedy to persons whose reputations have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a broadcast,” Mr Dempsey said.

RTÉ and TG4 will also be established as limited companies under the bill.

The BAI will encompass the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and the RTÉ Authority.

The regulator will be operationally independent and will be funded primarily by a sectoral levy applicable to all broadcasters.

The bill is also to be used in an experiment in electronic “mass democracy” which will allow voters to have their say on the legislation before the Oireachtas debates it.

Members of the public will be able to view the contents of the bill online and send in their views.

Cork TD and chairman of the Oireachtas communications committee Noel O’Flynn said all responses would be taken on board and used to determine which witnesses are to be called before the committee.

The system has cost €170,000 to set-up and advertise.

At present, only traditional TV sets are subject to a licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1972. An Post collects each €155 fee on behalf of the Communications Department.