Ireland

[IE] New Broadcasting Funding Scheme

IRIS 2015-4:1/13

Ronan Ó Fathaigh

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

On 3 February 2015, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) launched its new broadcasting funding scheme entitled “Sound & Vision III”, which has been recently approved by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The scheme makes available nearly EUR 24 million in funding for specific television and radio programmes over the next two years (for previous schemes, see IRIS 2005-10/7).

The new scheme is made under section 154 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which requires the Authority to prepare a funding scheme to support a number of objectives, including new television or radio programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, programmes to improve adult or media literacy, programmes which raise public awareness and understanding of global issues impacting on Ireland and other countries, and the development of archiving of programme material produced in Ireland.

The scheme will be funded from the annual net receipts of the television licence fee and the Authority has published a 17-page document detailing the operation of the scheme, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria. Under section 158 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority will be required to review the operation of the funding scheme periodically. The next deadline for applications will be 9 July 2015.