Category: Broadcasting Standards

RTE The Broadcasting Act, 1960 established the Broadcasting Authority as an independent body in control of RTE, the sole broadcaster.  The functions of the authority were: To establish and maintain national television and sound broadcasting services; To establish and maintain services of a local community or regional character; To provide broadcasting services of interest to […]

Code of Programme Standards The Code of Programme Standards seeks to promote responsible broadcasting in which access to information, entertainment and education and a range of views are enhanced and undue offence and harm reduced.  It seeks to acknowledge the diversity of tastes and interests that exist in contemporary Irish society and encourage and facilitate […]

Alcohol Commercial communications for alcoholic drinks shall not encourage immoderate consumption of alcohol or present abstinence or moderation in a negative light.  Commercial communications for alcoholic drinks shall not claim that alcohol has therapeutic qualities or that it is a stimulant sedative tranquillizer or means of resolving personal conflicts.  They shall not place emphasis on […]

Childrens Advertising There is a separate Code relating to Children’s Commercial Communications. A child for the purpose of the code is generally a person aged under 18 years.  Some parts of the code are referable to protections applicable to persons under 6, 13 and 15 years of age. The same definitions as apply to the […]

Advertising Codes The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has published a General Commercial Communications Code and a Children’s Commercial Communications Code.  The Codes apply to advertising and equivalent promotion.  The purpose is to ensure that the public can be confident that commercial communications are legal, honest, truthful, decent and protect the interests of the audience. The […]

BAI Makes Codes The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland publishes various codes and standards under section 42 of the Broadcasting Act.  They govern standards and practices which are to be observed by broadcasters. A copy of the code is to be published on the broadcaster’s website. The broadcasting rules are binding on a broadcaster. The Authority […]