Any viewer or listener should refer a complaint directly to the relevant broadcaster, in the first instance, if they are not happy about broadcasting content on that service. Complaints may be made to broadcasters under any of the following categories:

• Objectivity & impartiality in news;
• Fairness, objectivity & impartiality in current affairs;
• Anything which may reasonably be regarded as causing harm or offence, or anything being likely to promote, or incite to, crime, or as tending to undermine the authority of the State.
• Harmful or offensive material, in particular, programme material in respect of the portrayal of violence and sexual conduct shall be presented with due sensitivity to the convictions or feelings of the audience and with due regard to the impact of such programming on the physical, mental or moral development of children.
• Privacy of an individual;
• Code of Programme Standards
• General Commercial Communications Code
• Children’s Commercial Communications Code
• Rules on Advertising and Teleshopping (Daily and Hourly Limits)

How to make a complaint

All complaints made under any of the above categories must be made in accordance with the procedures detailed in the Code of Practice for Complaints Handling published on the website of the relevant broadcaster. Further information on the complaints procedures can be found in the BAI’s Guide for Listeners and Viewers to the Complaints Process and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Download the Guide for listeners and viewers to the Broadcasting Complaints Process

Download a copy of the  BAI Complaint Referral Form (Microsoft Word Version)

Download a list detailing the complaints section of each broadcasters website