Broadcast Codes & Policy

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (9th April 2013) launched a Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs. The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires that broadcasters ensure that all news broadcast is reported and presented in an objective and impartial manner, without any expression of the broadcaster’s own views.  The … Continued

In advance of the forthcoming referendum scheduled for Saturday 10th November 2012, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) reminds broadcasters of the requirement, further to the BAI Broadcasting Code on Referenda and Election Coverage (“the Code”), to ensure that coverage of the referendum is fair, objective and impartial. The Code requires coverage of the referendum … Continued

The BAI has, today (12th October), announced the outcomes of a public consultation undertaken on the rules to be applied to the advertising of High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) food and drink to children. The rules will come into effect on July 1st2013 and will apply to all radio and television broadcasters regulated in … Continued

In advance of the forthcoming referendum scheduled for Saturday 10th November 2012, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) reminds broadcasters of the requirement, further to the BAI Broadcasting Code on Referenda and Election Coverage (“the Code”), to ensure that coverage of the referendum is fair, objective and impartial. The Code requires coverage of the referendum … Continued

The BAI is today reminding broadcasters that a moratorium on coverage of the referendum on the Treaty on Stability, Co-operation and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union comes into effect from 2pm on Wednesday 30th May. The moratorium will remain in effect until 10pm on Thursday 31st May, when polling stations close. During this period, … Continued

Members of the public have up to Thursday, 31st May to make submissions to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s (BAI) public consultation on the Draft Children’s and General Commercial Communications Codes. The consultation deals with the rules to be applied to the promotion on Irish television and radio of food and drink that are high … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (14.05.2012) published new rules to govern the level of subtitling, sign language and audio description that Irish television broadcasters must offer to the public. The new rules will update the current Access Rules in place since 2005. The BAI Access Rules aim to make television more enjoyable … Continued

In advance of the forthcoming referendum scheduled to take place on 31st May 2012, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has written to all broadcasters reminding them that the BAI Code on Referenda and Election Coverage applies to all reporting on the referendum on the Treaty on Stability, Co-operation and Governance in the Economic and … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (30th March) launched a public consultation on a new Draft Children’s Commercial Communications Code and a new Draft General Commercial Communications Code. Under existing rules, commercial communications which are of particular interest to children or those broadcast during children’s programmes, are required to be responsible in their … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (15th March) announced that it will launch a public consultation at the end of March on rules governing how food and drink should be commercially promoted to children in the broadcast media. The rules will be included in the draft revised BAI Children’s Commercial Communications Code. The … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (1st February 2012) launched a public consultation on a Draft Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs. The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires that broadcasters ensure that all news broadcast is reported and presented in an objective and impartial manner without any expression of … Continued

New Rules on Television Subtitling, Sign Language and Audio Descriptions Proposed – Public invited to offer feedback – The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (6th December 2011) launched a public consultation on proposed new rules to govern the level of subtitling, sign language and audio description that Irish television broadcasters must offer to … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has received 227 submissions in response  to its recent public consultation on how food and drink should be commercially promoted to children in the broadcast media. Responses came from a wide variety of sources including members of the public, the broadcasting sector, politicians, NGOs and other groups representing the … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (27.09.11) extended the deadline for responses to its public consultation on how food and drink should be commercially promoted to children in the broadcast media. The deadline has been extended by six working days and submissions will now be accepted by the BAI up to 12 noon … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (13th September 2011) published the BAI Broadcasting Code on Referenda and Election Coverage (“the Code”). The Code sets out the rules that Irish broadcasters must comply with when covering any election, including presidential elections, or referendum held in the Republic of Ireland. The Code is effective immediately. … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (30th August 2011) launched a public consultation on how food and drink should be commercially promoted to children in the broadcast media. The public consultation is part of a review by the BAI on the diet and nutrition rules contained in its Children’s Commercial Communications Code.  Under … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (10th August 2011) issued the Draft BAI Broadcasting Code on Referenda and Election Coverage (Draft Broadcasting Code). This Draft Broadcasting Code proposes a range of standards with which Irish broadcasters must comply when covering referenda and/or elections held in the Republic of Ireland, including the Presidential Election … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is seeking the services of a suitably experienced advertising market analyst to assist work being undertaken by it as part of the review of the BAI Children’s Commercial Communications Code. The successful candidate will be required to analyse and report on particular aspects of written submissions received on foot … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is seeking the services of a suitably experienced nutrition scientist to assist work being undertaken by it as part of the review of the BAI Children’s Commercial Communications Code. The successful candidate will be required to assist the review of the Children’s Commercial Communications Code with a particular emphasis … Continued

The BAI has today (27th April) published the revised General and Children’s Commercial Communications Codes. The Codes detail the rules that apply to advertising, sponsorship, product placement and other commercial communications aired by Irish radio and television stations. The two statutory Codes will come into effect from Monday 2nd May next. From that date onwards, … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (9th March) announced the decision to permit paid product placement on Irish television. The change is one of a number to be included in the BAI’s revised General and Children’s Commercial Communications Codes. The revised Codes will be published in the coming weeks and will take effect … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (31st January 2011) published the BAI Broadcasting Code on Election Coverage (the Election Code). The Code details a range of rules with which all Irish broadcasters must comply when covering any election held in the Republic of Ireland, including the forthcoming General Election. The key principle of … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (16th December 2010) issued the Draft BAI Broadcasting Code on Coverage of Elections (Draft Election Code). The Draft Election Code proposes a range of standards with which Irish broadcasters must comply when covering any election held in the Republic of Ireland, including local, European and General Elections. … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (9th December 2010) issued the Draft Revised General Commercial Communications Code. The Draft Revised Code proposes a number of changes to the way in which product placement on television is to be regulated and the BAI is inviting the public and interested groups to comment on these … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has today (27th July) published revised Rules on Advertising and Teleshopping (Daily and Hourly Limits). The revisions reflect changes agreed by the Authority at its meeting on 26th July following a period of public consultation. The revised rules increase the amount of advertising permissible on independent Irish commercial television stations … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (16th June) published draft broadcasting rules that, if adopted, will increase the amount of advertising permissible on independent commercial television in Ireland. The Draft BAI Rules on Advertising and Teleshopping (Daily and Hourly Limits) propose to revise the maximum amount of advertising permitted per hour from the … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (11th May 2010) issued two revised broadcasting codes. The revised codes update the standards that radio and television advertising, sponsorship, product placement and other forms of commercial communications broadcast in Ireland must meet. All Irish radio and television broadcasters will be legally required to comply with the … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (16th November) published Draft Rules on Advertising and Teleshopping (Daily and Hourly Limits). The BAI is now providing members of the public and interested groups with the opportunity to submit any views on the draft Rules. Once finalised, the Rules will give effect to the transposition into … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) announced today (16th November 2009) the publication of a research report on the issue of political advertising. Entitled “Political Advertising: The regulatory Position and the Public View” the report was written by Dr. Kevin Rafter and was funded through the BCI’s Media Research Bursary Scheme. The research report examines … Continued

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has today (2nd November 2009) issued the draft General Code on Audiovisual Commercial Communications and the draft Children’s Code on Audiovisual Commercial Communications. The draft Codes propose a number of changes to the regulation of advertising, sponsorship and other commercial communications and the BAI is inviting the public and … Continued

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has today (September 30th) published rules regarding ‘Advertising and Teleshopping Daily and Hourly Limits’.  The rules relate to the total daily times permitted to transmit advertising and teleshopping material.  They also specify the maximum period in any given hour that can devoted to advertising or teleshopping.  The legislation further provides … Continued