Consultation Documents

The independent radio broadcasting sector in Ireland is delivering an important public service to its audience every day. The Draft Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs should ensure audiences continue to be well served by all broadcasters in Ireland, both state-funded and commercial stations. The Draft Code must also strike a balance to ensure that broadcasters are regulated but not stifled, governed but not restricted and most importantly allowed operate in the commercial and competitive reality they are faced with.

The consultation on the Children’s Commercial Communications Code examines the guidelines on diet and nutrition in relation to advertising of food and drink that are of particular interest to children. The consultation has a particular focus on food and drink that are high in fat, salt and sugar.

The BAI’s Broadcasting Services Strategy will have a significant impact on the independent commercial radio stations through the relicensing of franchise areas and the regulation by the BAI of the services provided by the broadcasters. In its submission the IBI aims to ensure that audiences continue to be well served by independent commercial radio stations, that broadcasters are regulated but not stifled, governed but not restricted and most importantly allowed operate in the commercial reality they are faced with to ensure the viability of the independent radio sector.

The response of the IBI to the Central Bank’s consultation on the Consumer Protection Code, with particular focus on the treatment of advertising financial products and services

The IBI welcome the review of current Copyright Legislation in particular given that independent radio broadcasters are both creators and users of intellectual property. This document draws the attention of the Review Committee to a few specific areas which are vital to the successful development of appropriate legislation for copyright issues in Ireland.

In general, the IBI is in agreement with the draft broadcasting code on election coverage. Similar guidelines have governed the broadcasting of election coverage on independent radio stations for many years and the overall implementation, function and execution of the guidelines has been satisfactory.

The IBI has played a central role in the three activities which formed the basis for the first phase of the development of the BAI’s draft Strategy Statement.

Firstly, regarding the stakeholder consultation, individual members, as well as the IBI as an organisation, presented their considered views to OCS Consulting. This was done through submitting completed on-line questionnaires in addition to engaging and participating in one-to-one interviews with OCS Consulting.

Secondly, IBI members were instrumental in ensuring that members of the public were aware of their role in the development of the BAI’s draft Strategy Statement through the broadcasting of advertisements publicising the consultation.

Advertising and sponsorship are the sole sources of income for Ireland’s independent radio. Since the first independent commercial radio station began broadcasting in July 1989 there has been a concerted effort to entice sponsors and advertisers to independent radio on a local, regional and national level by individual radio stations,
station groups and specific national advertising organisations.

Advertising and sponsorship are the backbone of commercial radio and without these, commercial radio stations would cease to exist. Since the first commercial radio station began broadcasting in July 1989 there has been concerted effort on the enticement of sponsors and advertisers to independent commercial radio on a local, regional and national level by individual radio stations, station groups and specific national advertising organisations.

Advertising is the backbone of commercial radio and without it commercial radio stations would cease to exist. Since the first commercial radio station began broadcasting in July 1989 there has been concerted effort on the enticement of advertisers to independent commercial radio on a local, regional and national level by individual radio stations, station groups and specific national advertising organisations.