Increased support for Mayo media organisations
A REFORMED model of public funding will ensure increased supports for Mayo media organisations which play a crucial role in our communities, says Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon.
Deputy Dillon was speaking as government announced a major initiative to support Ireland’s media sector following the publication of the report of the Future of Media Commission.
Deputy Dillon commented: “Mayo radio and newspaper outlets, as well as national outlets, are the cornerstone of our democratic system and do exemplary work in providing trustworthy information and entertainment to listeners, viewers and readers in our communities.
“Government has agreed in principle to accept 49 of the 50 recommendations in the report of the Future of Media Commission, which will chart the way to a resilient future for the sector by delivering a number of measures over the next decade.”
He explained: “After examining the options for generating additional funding, government has decided to maintain but overhaul the current licence fee.
"This minimises the risk of actual or perceived political interference in media independence and also reduces the burden on the Exchequer, when compared to a fully taxation-based funding model.
“I am pleased to see the Commission’s recommendation that a new Media Fund be established to support the media and journalism sector here in County Mayo and at national level, and be open to broadcast, print and online media. This is in keeping with the Fine Gael submission to the Commission.
“The fund will allow for the provision of supports on a platform-neutral basis, and enable the targeting of supports for particular content, such as culture or news, or areas of particular need, for example at community or local level. Local democracy reporting, news reporting, courts reporting, and community media will be supported under the fund.
“The report also recommends a number of other significant actions to help ensure greater equality, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in the media sector.
“Government will also work to ensure that the increased investment will provide greater opportunities for the entire independent production sector, and the wider creative sector.”
A technical group will be set up to examine options for the reform of the TV licence and a report is expected to be brought to government in November.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar commented: “A bedrock of our democracy, public service broadcasting has a remit to ensure that no one voice should dominate the debate, and that a plurality of views is always represented.
“It strives - and often achieves - high standards of independence and balance. I believe this report will help to ensure that it has a future.”
Local Ireland, the association representing 32 paid-for weekly newspapers around the country, has welcomed today’s publication of the long-awaited Future of Media Commission Report.
President of Local Ireland Declan McGuire said: “There are several encouraging aspects to the report, including the recognition of local news publishers as public service content providers and the recommendation that a new Media Fund would be open to print and online publishers to support skills-training, digital transformation, coverage of cultural issues and diversity.
“Quality, professional local journalism is facing serious economic challenges that have been exacerbated by the seismic shift in advertising to the major tech platforms and we need Government support to continue to deliver to our readers.
“We welcome the recommendation that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment should ensure there is fair dealing between publishers and the tech platforms in light of Article 15 of the EU Copyright Directive, which recognizes the value of our content.
“We have waited almost year for the report to be published, so there should be minimum delay in implementing the Commission’s recommendations.”
Executive Director of Local Ireland Bob Hughes said: “Implementation will be a key issue, but the Government has an opportunity to offer immediate support for news and digital publishers by abolishing the current 9% VAT rate and bringing it down to 0% in this September’s budget.
“The EU Finance Ministers’ agreement to reform the VAT régime came into effect earlier this year and this now allows the Government to cut VAT for publishers to zero per cent to bring Ireland in line with the UK and progressive European countries.
“This would end the tax on knowledge and information for an industry that plays a vital role in our democracy. It would also allow for greater investment in journalism and digital transformation and would help preserve jobs in a sector that has seen its workforce reduced by half over the last 20 years.”