Press Releases 2005
BCI Launches Public Consultation on News and Current Affairs Requirements
1st July
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has today (Wednesday June 1st) launched a public consultation process on its policy for statutory news and current affairs requirements for independent radio stations. The BCI is required by law to ensure that stations broadcast a minimum level of news and current affairs programming across the broadcast day. This policy review is being undertaken in light of the Commissions plans to license further radio stations and in the context of its key policy objective of guaranteeing a diversity of radio services to listeners. The Commissions current policy regarding news and current affairs has been to allow a derogation from the provision of news and current affairs between the hours of 1a.m. and 7a.m.
The consultation document seeks views in a number of key areas. It asks whether a policy providing more flexibility in news and current affairs derogation would result in a greater range of radio services together with a greater variety of news sources for listeners. It also asks respondents whether increased flexibility regarding derogations would assist in the development of viable new services with reduced start up and running costs and whether a more flexible policy would be of benefit to listeners, creating a climate in which the number and type of radio services currently in place might grow.
The Commission has, through the consultation document identified a range of factors that it proposes to use in assessing a stations eligibility for derogation and in addition has identified four different options in relation to the types of derogation that might subsequently be awarded.
Speaking about the launch of the consultation process Chief Executive of the BCI Michael O´Keeffe said, "This is an important consultation process for the BCI, as it marks the first review of policy regarding news and current affairs since 2000. We believe that the review is timely, particularly in light of our intention to licence additional radio services and a renewed commitment to diversity for listeners. We look forward to hearing the views of all stakeholders and members of the public."
The closing date for receipt of submissions to this consultation process is Friday 1st July. A copy of the consultation document can be accessed through the Commission´s web-site www.bci.ie or on request through their offices at 01 6441200.
Media Queries to:
Catherine Logan or Aoife Clabby
Fleishman-Hillard BCI
01-618 8462 01-6441200
BCI Launches Public Consultation on News and Current Affairs Requirements
1st July
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has today (Wednesday June 1st) launched a public consultation process on its policy for statutory news and current affairs requirements for independent radio stations. The BCI is required by law to ensure that stations broadcast a minimum level of news and current affairs programming across the broadcast day. This policy review is being undertaken in light of the Commissions plans to license further radio stations and in the context of its key policy objective of guaranteeing a diversity of radio services to listeners. The Commissions current policy regarding news and current affairs has been to allow a derogation from the provision of news and current affairs between the hours of 1a.m. and 7a.m.
The consultation document seeks views in a number of key areas. It asks whether a policy providing more flexibility in news and current affairs derogation would result in a greater range of radio services together with a greater variety of news sources for listeners. It also asks respondents whether increased flexibility regarding derogations would assist in the development of viable new services with reduced start up and running costs and whether a more flexible policy would be of benefit to listeners, creating a climate in which the number and type of radio services currently in place might grow.
The Commission has, through the consultation document identified a range of factors that it proposes to use in assessing a stations eligibility for derogation and in addition has identified four different options in relation to the types of derogation that might subsequently be awarded.
Speaking about the launch of the consultation process Chief Executive of the BCI Michael O´Keeffe said, "This is an important consultation process for the BCI, as it marks the first review of policy regarding news and current affairs since 2000. We believe that the review is timely, particularly in light of our intention to licence additional radio services and a renewed commitment to diversity for listeners. We look forward to hearing the views of all stakeholders and members of the public."
The closing date for receipt of submissions to this consultation process is Friday 1st July. A copy of the consultation document can be accessed through the Commission´s web-site www.bci.ie or on request through their offices at 01 6441200.
Media Queries to:
Catherine Logan or Aoife Clabby
Fleishman-Hillard BCI
01-618 8462 01-6441200