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Is there any information available on the history of the BCI?
History of the IRTC
In June 1988 the Oireachtas enacted the Radio and Television Act, 1988, which provided for the establishment of the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC). Ray Burke TD, Minister for Communication, in October 1988, formally established the Commission. It consists of ten members who hold office for five years.
The key role of the IRTC is set out in the 1988 Act, which states that “it shall be the function of the Commission to arrange…for the provision of sound broadcasting services (including a national sound broadcasting service) and one television programme service additional to any broadcasting services provided by Radio Teilefís Éireann”. Other parts of the Act give the IRTC the authority and powers necessary to ensure the development of the independent radio and television sector in this State.
Independent Broadcasting in Ireland
1. Background
Radio transmission to the public has been controlled by statute in this State since 1926. It was originally a monopoly operated by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. That monopoly passed in 1960 to Radio Éireann, the new broadcasting authority set up by the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960. With the advent of television the name of that authority was changed in 1966 to Radio Telefís Éireann or RTE. From 1960 until 1988 Radio Éireann, or its successor RTE, funded primarily by the licence fee payable in respect of every receiving set, had a legal monopoly in the field of radio and television transmission in the State.
Legal considerations apart, the reality of RTÉ’s monopoly had become undermined by 1988, for during the 1970s and 1980s there was continuing growth in the number of illegal or “pirate” radio stations operating in the country. At their peak 70 – 80 such stations existed. While remaining popular, the stations were all illegal and unlicensed and brought with them a number of problems – interference with legal broadcasters, with air traffic control and with emergency services; non-payment of taxes to the State and of royalties to performers; plagiarisation of news, and so on. As well as that, the pirate radio stations did not provide a continuity of service – relatively few of them survived long enough.
During 1988 the Government moved to regularise the situation with the passing of two new Broadcasting Acts. The Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1988, virtually ensured the cessation of illegal broadcasting with effect from the 31 December, 1988. The Radio and Television Act, 1988 provided for a network of commercial independent radio stations and 1 television station, which would be established by and under the control of the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC). The IRTC was established by the Act and came into being on 17th October, 1988.
2. The IRTC
The first Commission had ten members, all appointed by the Government for a five year period.
The main duties of the IRTC were set out in the Act under which it operated.
The first of these was to arrange for the provision of a national independent TV service, a national independent radio service and a series of local or regional stations. The IRTC may also consider the question of other broadcasting services catering for special or minority interests. There is also a provision in the Act for certain temporary and institutional licences.
The second duty is to monitor the activities of the various stations so as to ensure compliance with the Act.
As well as these essentially administrative and regulatory functions, the IRTC has decided, in keeping with the spirit of the Act, to help in any way it can, the development of independent broadcasting in Ireland.
3. BCI
The IRTC changed its name to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) on the 1st September 2001, on the date which the Broadcasting Act, 2001 came into operation. This order was made on the 27th July 2001 by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Síle de Valera, T.D.
Under section 10 (1) of the Broadcasting Act, the IRTC became the BCI.
The new act conferred many additional functions on the Commission including
- The drawing up and enforcement of Codes and Rules relating to programming and advertising matters
- The licensing of additional television services on digital, cable, MMD and satellite systems and
- The provision of a secretariat service to the newly enhanced Broadcasting Complaints Commission.
If you have any queries which are not addressed in this section, please do not hesitate to send in your request to info@bci.ie.