Forum recommends increase in TV licence fee

The Forum on Broadcasting has recommended an increase in the RTE licence fee, even though the issue was outside the body’s remit.

In a report published yesterday, the forum also found that there is a need for public service broadcasting in Ireland, but called for greater accountability within RTE.

It said the state broadcaster should be subject to the same regulations as commercial broadcasters and called for a new body to replace the Broadcasting Commission and the RTE Authority.

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern said the public will have to pay if it wants public service broadcasting to survive.