Matt Shanahan urges scrapping broadcast levy to save local radio
Matt Shanahan spoke in the Dáil on the Communications Regulation Bill, focusing on data security, online content integrity and mounting pressures on independent radio. He urged the minister to scrap the broadcast levy and called for stronger regulation of online platforms and tangible support for local stations.
Position on Communications Regulation Bill
Shanahan said the bill seeks to enact a European directive on data management, network management and security and welcomed new civil enforcement powers to impose administrative financial sanctions and require compensation for end users. He expressed scepticism about the directive's capacity to manage the integrity of online content, noting the spread of conspiracy theories via social media.
References to cyber incidents and prosecutions
He referenced the recent HSC cyber attack and cited news from the US about a CTO being prosecuted over a 2016 data breach to underline the need for robust data security and stronger network management provisions.
Independent radio under pressure
Shanahan highlighted the struggles of independent radio stations, naming WLR FM and Beat FM as examples, saying they face recruitment challenges for journalists while being required to run news services. He criticised the broadcasting levy, cited as approximately €2.5 million per annum, and noted independent stations received no support in this year's budget while newspapers moved to a zero VAT rating and public broadcasters RTE and TG4 received extra funding.
Calls for a media commission and fairer levies
He welcomed the establishment of a media commission and hoped it would have adequate powers to regulate online and social media platforms and to ensure fair treatment of independent radio. He proposed that levies be considered for streaming, pay-TV and digital advertising channels while the levy on independent broadcasters should be eliminated.
Democratic role of local radio and final appeal
Shanahan argued that independent public radio is fundamental to democracy and necessary to push back against fake news and misinformation. He asked the minister to prioritise scrapping the broadcast levy as a first port of call within the bill and said he would welcome the bill if it clarified that position.
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The Communications Regulation Bill is certainly a topical subject in light of our HSC cyber attack and news from the US today that a CTO is being prosecuted from Uber for a data breach back in 2016 so this bill I think is designed to enact a European directive on data management network management and security and legislative provisions but I would say customer care has been a significant feature for many people dealing with communication companies in this country particularly those dealing with cable TV and phone and internet providers and in this area comrade I think as colleagues have outlined have significant work to do in properly managing and enforcing the standards of these regulated companies as well as managing data security on the internet I will question the ability of the European directive to manage the integrity of content on the internet particularly news media I was listening to Pat Kenny earlier on radio today talking about conspiracy theories generated and how much of it has been promulgated through social media platforms and this calls into question the integrity of the news that we hear and where fact-based news can be accessed and to that point minister I would like to just mention the independent radio broadcasters of Ireland who are continuing to be forced to pay a broadcast levy while at the same time they are receiving no support by way of license fee unlike public broadcasters in addition they are required to run a news service which is vital for regional and community news updates but which requires significant journalistic input and cost I look at my own two radio stations in Walford WLR FM and beat FM and they fall squarely into this character and they are finding it very difficult to recruit and retain journalistic talent which they are required to do in order to provide the standard of news and community engagement that they wish to do It is worth noting minister that independent radio received no support in this year's budget while yet the newspaper industry was moved to a zero VAT rating and in addition the public broadcasters of RTE and TG4 were provided extra funding at this time The broadcasting levy on independent broadcasters amounts to approximately 2.5 million per annum and in my opinion it should be eliminated it is an unfair levy to those who do not receive public license supports and who in addition minister have seen a collapse in their advertising revenue since COVID which has not recovered They are expected as I say to provide a public news service as part of their license approval but get no support for doing it And yet I would argue with you minister that independent public radio is a fundamental piece of our democracy because if it is dismantled how are we to push back against fake news which as I say has been promulgated widely And for years online the social, online and media platforms have taken advantage of the lack of regulation to out-compete and to disrupt independent radio and indeed newsprint in this country No levy is applicable to those minister these foreign-owned companies and at this high time in my opinion a levy was placed on streaming and pay TV services as well as on digital advertising channels I welcome the new civil enforcement and other powers that will empower comrades to impose administrative financial sanctions for non-compliance and require compensation to end users And I also look forward to the setting up of a media commission which will hopefully have adequate powers to properly regulate online and social media platforms I hope it will also play a role in the fair and equitable treatment of independent radio and recognise the importance of this sector Finally just minister could I say that I think the increasing digital landscape is progressive but it has to be progressively managed to ensure it is a force for greater good than greater evil I think the independent radio sector has proven itself long proven itself in this sector and government must now come and recognise you know the damage that the broadcast levy is doing how badly these businesses need that funding and allow them to retain it so therefore to scrap that I would ask you minister to do that as a first port of call with respect to this bill I think if this bill sees that position clarified among its other objectives I would certainly welcome it in the House Thank you very much for your attention
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