Press Releases 2006

BCI ISSUES STATEMENT OF OUTCOMES OF ACCESS RULES

6th April 06

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today (April 7 th) issued a statement of outcomes document on the revision of the Access Rules as they relate to television services licensed under the Broadcasting Act, 2001. A total of seven services have been licensed by the BCI under the 2001 Act. Consideration was given at the most recent Board meeting as to what obligations should be placed on six of these services with regard to the Access Rules. The most recently licensed service, Channel 6, will not be considered until early 2007.

The Commission has decided that three of the six services considered should have an obligation to provide subtitling; Setanta Sports Channel Ireland , NASN ( Ireland & UK ) and City Channel. Specific targets for each service have been set over a ten-year timeframe.

Speaking about the decisions reached, Chief Executive of the BCI, Michael O’Keeffe said, “the Commission was mindful of a range of influencing factors in setting targets for these three services, specifically the need to differentiate between broadcast services, their stage of development and the resources available, both technical and financial to achieve any targets set.”

The technical difficulties with regard to ‘closed’ sign language and ‘closed’ audio description remain, and it has been decided that targets will not be set for the provision of these access services at this time. The matter will be reviewed as part of the general review of the Access Rules which will take place in 2008. This review will allow the Commission to assess any changes in the broadcast environment which may impact on the provision of all three access services.

The Access Rules were developed to promote the understanding and enjoyment of programmes by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and persons who are blind or visually impaired. They specify percentage targets and timeframes in relation to the level of subtitling, sign language and audio description to be provided by broadcasters. The Access rules have been in effect since March 1 st 2005 and have to date applied to the four indigenous terrestrial services; RTÉ 1, RTÉ 2, TG4 and TV3.

A copy of the statement of outcomes, detailing the specific targets set for Setanta Sports Channel Ireland , NASN ( Ireland & UK ) and City Channel is available on the BCI website. Copies of the document can also be obtained by calling the Commission on 01 644 1200.

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For further information please contact:
David Martin                                             or                     Aoife Clabby
Fleishman Hillard                                                                  BCI
01 6188462 or 086 8114785                                              01 6441200