Public broadcasting funding debate ‘too focused on RTÉ’

Commercial radio stations have expressed concern that the debate about the proposed new public service broadcasting charge is too focused on its potential impact on RTÉ.

The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland accused RTÉ of having a “virtual stranglehold” on licence fee income as the organisation urged the Government to ensure the allocation of revenue from the new funding system created a fair and equitable broadcasting landscape.

IBI chairman John Purcell urged Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte to establish a forum between himself, the IBI, and RTÉ to examine funding public service broadcasting into the future.

Addressing the IBI’s annual conference in Dublin yesterday, Mr Purcell said a report by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on the funding of RTÉ due to be given to Mr Rabbitte shortly could not be seen in isolation given that independent commercial radio stations accounted for 67% of the radio market.

“RTÉ cannot be allowed to dominate the debate or monopolise the future,” said Mr Purcell, chief executive of KCLR 96FM.

The IBI chairman said it was essential that any decision about the funding of public service broadcasting was grounded in “what is best for Irish audiences and not just what is best for a single institution”.

“Despite the fact that RTÉ is a minority player in terms of audience they hold a virtual stranglehold on public funding from the licence fee. This needs to change.”

Mr Purcell said RTÉ was allowed to operate in the best of all possible worlds as it had the safety net of the licence fee to cushion it from falling commercial revenue.

“We don’t expect to be treated the same, but we want to be treated equitably.”

He claimed that the provision of funding to all radio stations engaged in public service broadcasting was “daunting but achievable” without increasing the current annual €160 cost of the TV licence fee.

In reply, Mr Rabbitte said he expected to receive the value-for-money report on the proposed public service broadcasting charge later this week.

Mr Rabbitte said the case for a move to a device independent charge was even more compelling now than when it was first mooted two years ago.

“The question now is really about the most cost-effective means of delivering it,” he said.

The minister said RTÉ would have to continue to demonstrate that it used public funds efficiently in fulfilling its public service remit.