Proposal on orchestra: Funding is key

State-owned public service broadcasters are struggling to sustain services once imagined routine and obligatory.

Even an organisation as influential as the BBC struggles to provide the gold-standard programming that built its reputation because technological advances and ever-more-powerful commercial entities assert greater influence.

RTÉ is not immune. Its revenues have fallen by 24% in a decade. It is, like many media organisations, struggling in a changed world.

This week’s report, that suggests that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should no longer be the responsibility of the broadcaster, is just one response to that changing landscape. It suggests that the orchestra should be directly funded by Government.

Taken at face value this is a reasonable response to a very difficult situation but, as ever, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Congratulations should be deferred until a deal is signed, sealed and delivered.

This may be an opportunity to establish a tax scheme so music lovers can help fund a newly-independent orchestra — we have, after all, created tax breaks for less enriching projects.