Dermot Ahern Opens Forum On Independent Sector
Dublin, Tuesday, 14th September,
2004
Dermot
Ahern TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural
Resources, today said he expected real change in the licensing
of independent radio to emerge from the current review
process.
Speaking in
Athlone at a seminar on the Review into Radio Licensing,
Minister Ahern said he expected that change to allow for the
development of a more diverse, more innovative radio landscape
in a rapidly transforming world.
The seminar
drew over 80 people, mainly from radio stations and community
interest groups. The meeting was an open forum where the
recently published Ox Report into the future of radio licensing
was discussed. The Minister is currently engaged in a public
consultation process on that report which concludes on
September 30. The report and consultation will feed into the
framework for future radio licensing. Contributions to the
review can still be made details are on the Departments
website:
www.dcmnr.ie
The public
consultation seeks the views of stakeholders involved in radio
broadcasting in Ireland including station owners, advertisers,
content creators, information service providers, public service
bodies, individuals and local communities.
Minister
Ahern told the gathering: We all know licensing local radio
services is a particularly sensitive matter, especially in the
actual franchise areas involved. I want to emphasise the
necessity for independence and objectiveness in licensing. The Oireachtas has
clearly determined that radio licensing decisions should not be
taken by politicians but by an independent regulator. I agree completely with
this principle. Assigning
licensing decisions to an independent body helps to ensure that
decisions are free from influence and are fair.
One
challenge we face is that of ensuring the appropriate balance
in radio offerings to the Irish listener. We need to make sure
that there is a suitable mix of public service radio,
independent commercial radio and community and special interest
radio. I also
believe that community radio and special interest stations are
also a vital element in developing a rich and diverse sector
capable of meeting the needs of the wider community.
The
Minister added: I am also examining the actual licensing
process itself.
While the existing regime works well and has been a success, we
need to ensure that good procedures are in place and that the
lessons learned from regulatory models both here and abroad are
bought to bear.
The
Minister said he was anxious to ensure that the franchising and
licensing processes work dynamically to deliver an appropriate
mix of public, independent and community radio, including
special interest services.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Richard Moore
Press Advisor
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural
Resources
Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(01) - 678-2440
Fax: +353-(01) - 676-6161
Tom Mc Loughlin
Press Officer
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural
Resources
Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0) 1-678-2441
Fax: +353-(0) 1-676-6161