The Broadcasting Authority Ireland (BAI) has today, 31st August 2011, published the Draft BAI Broadcasting Services Strategy for public consultation.
This draft Strategy outlines the Authority’s proposed approach to the licensing of broadcasting services that are additional to those currently provided by RTÉ and TG4. It also presents the BAI’s vision regarding the optimum mix of broadcasting services and identifies a number of factors that may facilitate and constrain the achievement of that vision. The Strategy will inform the BAI’s approach to the development of a licensing plan.
The purpose of this consultation is to provide interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the draft Strategy. Feedback is being sought on the Authority’s proposed vision regarding the optimum mix of broadcasting services and a range of other relevant matters including licensing, ownership and control, the regulation of services, the cost of making applications for commercial sound broadcasting services, the requirement for 20% News and Current Affairs content on radio services and a review of other regulatory policies and practices.
The document is now open to public consultation until 23rd September which will include the hosting of a one-day targeted industry stakeholder event on 15th September. The outcomes of the public consultation will be considered by the Authority and a finalised Strategy document published thereafter.
Speaking about the launch of the document, Bob Collins, Chairperson of the BAI said: “The Broadcasting Services Strategy is one of the key means by which the Authority fulfils its key statutory objective of endeavouring to ensure that the number and categories of broadcasting services in the State will best serve the needs of the people of the island of Ireland, bearing in mind their languages and traditions and their religious, ethical and cultural diversity. This period of public consultation will allow interested parties to submit their views which will assist the Authority to make informed decisions on the final Strategy.
A Copy of the Consultation Document is available here. Further information is available on www.bai.ie. Submissions are welcome until 5pm on Friday 23rd September 2011.
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Note to Editors:
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is the body responsible for the regulation of broadcasting in Ireland. Its functions and responsibilities are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”). Section 26 (1)(a) of the Act requires the BAI to prepare a strategy for the provision of broadcasting services in the State. The Draft Broadcasting Services Strategy outlines the Authority’s proposed approach to, and a framework for, the licensing of broadcasting services that are additional to those provided by RTÉ, TG4 and any future services that may be provided by the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Irish Film Channel.
Media Queries to:
Brian Furey
BAI
01-6441200