Extra ads time for independent TV condemned

THE body representing most of the country’s newspapers has condemned the decision to grant additional advertising airtime to independent TV channels on the basis that all sections of the media are feeling the effects of the economic downturn.

The National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) said it was appalled at yesterday’s announcement by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) that it is to revise upwards, from today, the maximum amount of advertising permitted per hour on independent TV. The BAI said its decision was influenced by the fact that the independent commercial television sector had “been required to cut costs significantly, resulting in reductions in original programming, staff and salary levels” because of the downturn in the economy.

However the NNI said the decision had been taken “with undue haste following a consultation process of just three weeks and in the absence of an impact assessment to measure the effect on other media competing in the marketplace”.