Fianna Fáil Senator and member of the Oireachtas Media Committee Malcolm Byrne has reiterated the need for the Government to direct exchequer funding to public service broadcasting and abolish the TV licence fee.
The Senator and his Fianna Fáil colleagues on the Media Committee have examined the issue comprehensively over the past year.
“Quality public service broadcasting is critical to any democracy. There have been numerous reports on how it should be funded. What is needed now is a Government decision," Senator Byrne said.
“The Future of the Media Commission made a compelling case for direct exchequer funding. We have considered this matter in detail at our Committee over the last two years, even before recent controversies at RTÉ.”
Senator Byrne added that it is important that the funding be administered at an arms length from Government and that there be protections from Government interference.
“There must also be a commitment on baseline funding that cannot be reduced,” he said.
“Coimisiuin na Meain, which currently administers 7% of licence fee income through the Sound and Vision Fund, is the appropriate channel through which such funding could be dispersed.
“Public service broadcasting funding would be primarily for RTÉ and TG4 but it would be open to other broadcasters, including independent and community radio and television to apply.”
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