Seanad debates
Wednesday, 15 October 2003
Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. - Local Radio Licensing: Motion.
We must remember that some of our radio stations are less commercially driven than the majority and that there are community and special interest stations for which there is a place and which must be catered for in society. Recognising that they must survive financially too, community stations can derive up to 50% of their income from commercial activity. If there is a broadcast area which seems to prefer its community radio and where it thrives better than its fully commercial counterpart, the choice of the people should be respected and accepted. I wonder what the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland is doing as it seems to be phasing out community stations in favour of the commercial sector. If that is its policy, it should spell it out clearly.
No comments