Seanad debates

Tuesday, 4 November 2003

Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

It is disappointing this Bill does not potentially create the environment in which that could be generated and supported, except in a very small way. I will be tabling amendments on that and I hope the Minister of State will consider them carefully and use this fund and this legislation for the opportunity it provides to begin the process of supporting community media. That would mean funding would have to be available for infrastructure and investment. It is necessary to invest initially in not-for-profit television in particular, which is expensive particularly in the start-up phase, from a public service and community viewpoint as it does not rely on commercial funding and advertising, which completely undermine the whole principle. In the same way, for instance, that community activity in the arts is supported, it is well worth supporting community media and it is timely to do so, particularly in the current era, as the Minister of State has indicated.

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