Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Communications Regulation Bill is certainly a topical subject in light of the cyberattack on the HSE and news from the US today that a chief technology officer from Uber is being prosecuted for a data breach in 2016. This Bill is designed to enact a European directive on data management, network management, and security and legislative provisions. Customer care has been a significant feature for many people dealing with communication companies in this country, particularly those dealing with cable television, phone and Internet providers. In this area, as my colleagues have outlined, ComReg has significant work to do in properly managing and enforcing the standards of these regulated companies.

As well as managing data security on the Internet, I question the ability of the European directive to manage the integrity of content on the Internet, particularly news media. I was listening to a discussion on "The Pat Kenny Show" earlier about the generation of conspiracy theories and how much they are being promulgated through social media platforms. This calls into question the integrity of the news we hear and where fact-based news can be accessed. On that point, I would like to mention the independent radio broadcasters of Ireland who continue to be forced to pay a broadcast levy while, at the same time, receiving no support by way of the licence fee, unlike public broadcasters. In addition, they are required to run a news service, which is vital for regional and community news updates but which requires significant journalistic input and cost. The two radio stations in Waterford, WLRFM and Beat FM, fall squarely into this characterisation. They are finding it very difficult to recruit and retain journalistic talent, which they are required to do in order to provide the standard of news and community engagement they wish to provide. It is worth noting that independent radio received no support in this year's budget, yet the newspaper industry was moved to a zero VAT rating. In addition, the public broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, were provided extra funding at this time.

The broadcasting levy on independent broadcasters amounts to approximately €2.5 million per annum and should be eliminated. It is an unfair levy on those broadcasters that do not receive public licence supports and have seen a collapse in their advertising revenues since the Covid-19 pandemic. There has been no recovery in that revenue stream. These broadcasters are expected to provide a public news service as part of their licence approval but get no support for doing so. Independent public radio is a fundamental piece of our democracy. If it is dismantled, how are we to push back against fake news, which, as I say, is being promulgated widely?

For years, the online social media platforms have taken advantage of the lack of regulation to out-compete and disrupt independent radio and newspapers in this country. No levy is applicable to those foreign-owned social media companies and it is high time a levy was placed on streaming and paid television services, as well as on digital advertising channels.

I welcome the new civil enforcement and other powers that will empower ComReg to impose administrative financial sanctions for non-compliance and require compensation to end users. I also look forward to the setting up of a media commission that will hopefully have adequate powers to properly regulate online and social media platforms. I hope it will also play a role in the fair and equitable treatment of independent radio and recognise the importance of this sector.

The increasing digital landscape is progressive but it must be progressively managed to ensure it is a force for greater good and not greater evil. The independent radio sector has long since proved itself. The Government must now recognise the damage the broadcast levy is doing and how badly these businesses need that funding, and allow them to retain it. The levy should be scrapped as a first port of call in this legislation. If the Bill clarifies the position in that regard, among its other objectives, I would welcome it.

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