Shake-up planned for TV access rules

New rules are being drawn up to ensure people with hearing or vision problems have easy access to radio and TV programmes.

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has begun a ten-week public consultation process to discuss the levels of subtitles and sign language on the air waves.

A draft Access Rules document has already been drawn up by the BCI after input by broadcasters and disability groups.

The findings of the public consultation process will be published in December and the BCI aims to implement the new regulations in the New Year.

TV and radio stations will be obliged to provide minimum levels of subtitling, sign language and audio descriptions on all broadcasts.

The BCI said regulating access rules is part of its remit under Section 19 of the Broadcasting Act 2001.

Chief executive Michael O’Keeffe said: “We are pleased that key interest groups are involved and we look forward to to a strong public response on this issue.”

The draft Access Rules can be viewed on www.bci.ie and the closing date for submissions from the public or other interested groups is November 10.

The Access Rules document was drawn up by the BCI in conjunction with the Irish Deaf Society, the National Council for the Blind in Ireland and the Irish Hard of Hearing Association.

Broadcasters involved in consultations included RTÉ, TV3, TG4, Chorus, NTL and Setanta Sport. Communications regulator Comreg also participated.