Seanad debates
Tuesday, 4 November 2003
Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
There is a big difference between local radio stations and private radio stations. The private radio stations pump out music continually and probably only about 20% of their output relates to news and public affairs etc. Quite often they do not capture the type of audience community radio captures. Community radio around the country, whether in Connemara or west Limerick, spans the activities of what may be a small geographical population and is often just sustained by a community employment scheme within the area. If restrictions are imposed on community employment schemes, which is happening, we lose the potential manpower base which helps keep the community radio company viable. My main reservation is that while the Broadcasting (Funding) Bill is going in the right direction with 5% of the licence fees, it could go further in trying to ensure that community radio here gets off the ground. It is interesting that the Minister said in the forum on broadcasting that he wanted to foster and promote community radio. Now he has the chance to do so.
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