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Public broadcasting charge and RTÉ Radio 1.

  • 27-04-2011 6:02pm
    #1
    endakenny
    Closed Accounts Posts: 956 ✭✭✭


    I believe that there is a plan to bring in a public broadcasting charge, which everyone would have to pay even if they don't have a TV set. This makes sense because, if you take into account those who use the internet or personal organisers to watch TV, very few people have no access to TV programmes. Furthermore, it would increase funding for RTÉ public service radio. The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland believe that RTÉ Radio 1 should become an entirely public-funded station, without advertising revenue. This would level the playing field and also improve the integrity of RTÉ radio, i.e. no more sponsorship of Drivetime, which is technically a magazine show but analyses the news of the day.
    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0406/1224294011566.html
    It's high time that RTÉ Radio's unfair advantage over its competitors is eliminated.


Comments

  • #2
    Minstrel27
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,818 ✭✭✭Minstrel27


    I always did think that RTÉ Radio One should be advert free.


  • #3
    Mike 1972
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,018 ✭✭✭Mike 1972


    If there is a case for removing advertising from (one or more) RTE radio services then surely there is also a case for removing it from (one or more) RTE television services ?

    Incidentally why is there no advertising on RnaG ?
    endakenny wrote: »
    I believe that there is a plan to bring in a public broadcasting charge, which everyone would have to pay even if they don't have a TV set. This makes sense because, if you take into account those who use the internet or personal organisers to watch TV, very few people have no access to TV programmes.

    However quite a few people dont watch Irish TV programmes.

    (Not that Id be completely opposed to the concept but one would want to have better arguments to put forward in support of it)


  • #4
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    Mike 1972 wrote: »

    (Not that Id be completely opposed to the concept but one would want to have better arguments to put forward in support of it)

    1. It is easier to collect from ALL houses than from SOME.

    2. RTE does more than broadcast TV service, they also run radio, concerts, orchestras, news services, and have a presence on the web. As well as that they provide much cultural service outside of these activities, as do TG4.

    3. The charge, if levied on, say, electricity bills, would be easier to pay as it would be monthly or bi-monthly rather than an annual charge.

    4. If all have to pay, it would become unavoidable, or to put it another way, evasion becomes impossible.

    5. More money would be raised.

    Do you need more reasons?


  • #5
    Mike 1972
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,018 ✭✭✭Mike 1972


    Some good points but.....
    Sam Russell wrote: »
    If all have to pay, it would become unavoidable, or to put it another way, evasion becomes impossible.

    That would be akin to the Government deciding that the solution to the crime problem is to put everyone in prison.


  • #6
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,068 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    Some musings on this from Pat Rabitte in today's Irish Times:

    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0502/1224295868067.html

    One thing the OP might want to note is that the charge would be in lieu of the licence fee, there might not be a substantial net increase in income and certainly not to the point where you could drop advertising and sponsorship from RTÉ Radio 1 or any other RTÉ station.

    I have misgivings about the idea of a poll tax in general, even if it is to fund broadcasting. At least the current TV licence has the virtue of being tied to television ownership. You don't have to pay it if you don't want to, but you can do without television in that case. The public broadcasting charge would be essentially a tax on being alive, you'd have to pay it no matter what. The other alternative of RTÉ being funded out of general taxation is not something I would favour, however.


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  • #7
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    It would not be a poll tax. It would be based on households, not people - so only one charge per household.

    Since TV ownership is at approximately 98%, then only 2% would pay who should not be liable under current rules. Do those 2% have radios? Do they go to concerts where RTE funded orchestras play? Do they access news gathered by RTE? I]By coincidence, RTE provide 98% coverage with the new DTT service[/I

    Clearly the amount of funds collected will be much the same as today so there will be no extra for any projects. The most that could be expected is a 5% saving in collection, and a 5% increase in the numbers paying.

    At the end of the day, it is a political matter, and we need a system that keeps broadcasting out of the hands of politicians. A bit of a paradox.


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