Telecom watchdog opens probe over chatline ads

The telecoms watchdog is to probe if late night advertisements on TV3 are promoting sexual entertainment services and breach a code of practice for call lines.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has been informed of the inquiries by Comreg, stemming from complaints made by a Fine Gael TD. Derek Keating claimed earlier this year that certain late-night TV3 advertisements for premium rate phone chatlines were a cover for prostitution. He said the commercials, depicting a young woman on a bed dressed in underwear, were immoral.

Comreg has taken up the complaint and said its initial view is that the promotion of the 1500-numbered chatlines on the station adhere to its code on premium rate services. It said the 1500 numbered lines were likely classified as “virtual chat” or “contact/dating services”.

However, Comreg chairman Alex Chisholm says he will investigate if the chatlines being promoted are in fact operating as “sexual entertainment services”. If this is the case, the chatline being promoted is operating under a different number range and may be breaching the code. It would need to operate as a 1599-numbered service, it said. Chatlines operating as sexual entertainment services would need to ensure that they are not available to children.

Comreg pointed out that it had no role in probing claims of sex trade and prostitution in relation to the commercials, as alleged by the Dublin-West TD, and that these were matters for the gardaí.

Mr Keating told the Irish Examiner that he was disappointed with the regulator’s response.

He wants Mr Rabbitte to examine the functions of Comreg and to overhaul its powers.

TV3 has said its advertisements for premium-rate chat services are licensed by the regulator and comply with the rules.