Mr. Bill Tyson:

I thank members for the opportunity to speak here today on behalf of the Community Television Association. There are two community TV stations currently operating in Ireland - Dublin Community Television, DCTV, and Cork Community Television, CCTv. There is also community television in Belfast, Northern Visions Television, NVTV, with which we have developed strong links.

With regard to the revised general scheme of the broadcasting (amendment) Bill, we are concerned that there are few specific mentions of community broadcasting and that where the words "local" and "regional" are used, this will be understood to mean "local" and "regional" licensed broadcasting, which would exclude community broadcasting. We believe it is essential to explicitly mention community media to ensure there can be no misunderstanding in the legislation, and we have sent in a more detailed submission about this.

What makes community television different? Community television is owned and controlled by the community it serves, with governance provided by a voluntary board of management. It facilitates participation at all levels and from a wide range of groups, often providing access to media for more marginalised groups in society, though not exclusively. The difference is that these groups are actively involved at all stages of production and have editorial control over the content they produce. It is television made by communities for communities, with the broad aim of making our society a better place to live and promoting a better understanding of the different communities that live on this island.

Community TV has achieved a lot over the past 18 years since we first got our licences from what is now Coimisiún na Meán, but we know we could achieve a whole lot more with a more sustainable business model. Our organisations span both the media sector and the community and voluntary sector. Through the incredible dedication of a core group of volunteers who have stuck with this for the past 18 years because they believe in the potential, we have broadcast thousands of hours of community programming and provided enormous social benefits.