Register of Providers The Commission shall establish a register of media service providers that are under the jurisdiction of the State and publish the register on its website. It is the duty of a media service provider to notify the Commission that it should be included on the register, the minimum timeframes for notification, and the details which must be provided within a notification. A media […]
Replacement of BAI The 2023 Act provides for the dissolution of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and its statutory committees on the establishment day of the Commission. The Act provides for the transfer of the functions of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and its statutory committees to the Commission on establishment day. It provides for the transfer of staff of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland […]
Online safety The Act provides for a definition of harmful online content, the designation of online services for regulation, the making and application of online safety codes by the Commission, the issuance of guidance materials by the Commission, and the establishment of a scheme by the Commission through which nominated bodies may notify the Commission of concerns relating to the availability of harmful online content […]
Investigations and Sanctions “Contravention”, which includes a failure to comply with a media service code, a media service rule, or an online safety code, “investigation”, and “authorised officer”. The Commission may appoint an authorised officer, shall provide a certificate of such an appointment and may cause such an appointment to be revoked in certain circumstances. A person authorised by the Commission may direct an authorised […]
Wireless Telegraphy Offences A person may not send or attempt to send by wireless telegraphy from the state or any ship in the territorial waters of the State or ship registered within the State indecent, obscene, or offensive communications, communications subversive to public order, false and misleading signals of distress, false and misleading messages to a ship or vessel or an aircraft in distress. No […]
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 only certain members of the community and which may be […]
Radio Background Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph Company, had carried out some of its wireless telegraphy experiments in Cork. It had applied for permission to set up a station to the Irish provisional government in May 1922. This application and another application by the Daily Express were refused. The BBC was established in 1922. It was initially comprised of a consortium of commercial organisations operating independent experimental […]
Wireless Telegraphy The Wireless Telegraphy Acts date back to the turn of the 20th century. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 has been amended on numerous occasions. The Wireless and Telegraphy Acts provide a general system of licensing of wireless telegraphy broadcasting and receiving equipment. Wireless Telegraphy means the emission receiving or emitting or receiving only over paths which are not provided by any material substance, […]
Corporate Governance The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the continued corporate existence of RTÉ, TG4. They are each to be independent in pursuit of their objects subject to the requirements of the legislation. They must prepare strategic development plans dealing with their public service and commercial objectives. There is the Board of each of RTÉ, andTG4 appointed by the government. Six members are appointed by […]
On the recommendation of the Contract Awards Committee, the BAI may award broadcasting contracts. The BAI may not award a broadcasting contract to entity without a wireless telegraphy licence issued by the Commission for Communication Regulations. The Commission for Communication Regulations may vary the terms and conditions of be wireless telegraphy licence for the purpose of a broadcasting contract. The legislation provides for notification procedures […]
Compliance Committee The Compliance Committee is responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of compliance, the investigation of complaints and a number of reporting functions. The Committee has eight members; four of whom are appointed by the Government on the nomination of the Minister, while the remaining four are appointed by the Authority, comprising of two members of the Authority and two members of the BAI […]
Governance There were to be nine members of the Authority. Five are appointed by the government. At least four are to be men and four are to be women. Persons to be appointed must have experience in a number of named areas relevant to broadcasting, trade union affairs, business or commercial affairs, disability, Irish languages, arts, music, sport and culture, science, legal and regulatory affairs, […]
Events of Public Interest The 2009 Act restates and updates the legislation in relation to major events television coverage. There is a provision for a triennial review of the legislation. An event is an event of interest to the general public in the State or EU or a significant part of them, organised by an event organiser, entitled to sell broadcasting rights to the event. […]
Requirement for Licence Part IX of the Broadcasting Act 2009 made revised provision for television licences. The Minister may specify by order, individual rooms within premises which are to be regarded as separate premises for the purpose of television licensing. A television set is an electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services, broadcast for general reception. This applies whether or not its […]
Fair Practices Under the Broadcasting Act each public service broadcaster namely RTE and TG4 must prepare a code of fair trading practice setting out principles when commissioning programmes from independent producers. BAI prepares and issues guidance to the public service broadcasters on the form of the code of fair trading practice. BAI publishes this guidance for public service broadcasters. It indicates the code should be sufficient […]
Digital Services The Broadcasting Act, 2001 set the framework for digital terrestrial television services. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (“BCI”) became responsible for broadcasting services in the existing licensed independent TV and radio sectors. Broadcasting services covers services transrouted by wireless, telegraphy, cable, microwave distribution systems or satellite. A transmission company was established to assume the former transmission function performed by the (RTE) broadcasting authority. The BCI […]
Wireless Telegraphy Wireless telegraphy was patented by Marconi in 1896 and his Wireless Telegraphy company commenced exportation the following year. In 1904 parliament, prohibited the establishment of wireless telegraphy stations and installations except under license from the Postmaster General. The British Broadcasting Company was licensed in 1923. The company was replaced by the British Broadcast Corporation in 1927. The BBC took part in the early […]
Broadcasting The Audio-Visual Media Services Directive underpins the single market in broadcasting. It covers both traditional broadcast and on-demand services. It sets minimum regulatory standards that states and national regulators must implement. It aims to preserve cultural diversity; protect children protect consumers; safeguard media pluralism; combat racial and religious hatred; and guarantee the independence of national regulators. The Directive employs the country of origin principle. […]