Forum on Broadcasting recommends licence hike

The much-awaited interim report from the Forum on Broadcasting has recommended a licence fee hike, despite this being outside the body’s remit.

It also calls for greater accountability within the state broadcaster, and calls for the same strict regulations as exist within the private sector.

It commended local radio stations for attracting new audiences.

The 62-page report will be given another three weeks consideration by the Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern, who will then report back to the Government on the paper.

The Forum received a number of submissions on the future role of broadcasting after it was established earlier this year in the wake of a row over the television licence fee.

The move followed the Government's rejection of RTÉ's application for a significant increase and the granting of an €18 fee rise instead.

The Forum report has also proposed that the RTÉ licence fee should be regularly adjusted, and a new single broadcasting regulator should be set up.

It called for a greater degree of accountability by RTÉ to the licence fee payer.