Coimisiún na Meán must revisit local media broadcast fee hike – Carrigy

The decision of Coimisiún na Meán to increase the broadcast levy fee needs to be examined urgently, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Micheál Carrigy, Chair of the Fine Gael Party and member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Arts, Media, Communication, Culture and Sport has said that local radio stations were blindsided by a notice issued by Coimisiún na Meán to say that it was increasing the broadcasting levy by 39%.

Deputy Carrigy said: “Local and Regional radio stations would not have budgeted for such a significant increase of fees for this calendar year and this news has come as a serious blow. I raised this issue in the private members meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Arts, Media, Communication, Culture, and Sport and there are serious concerns that some outlets very viability could be threatened if this levy is imposed.

“I want the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán to come in to the committee to allow Coimisiún na Meán explain the rationale for this increase, and how it was communicated at such short notice and doesn’t afford local broadcasters time to put finances in place.

“I am hopeful that common sense can prevail here and that this and that any proposed increase in the regulatory broadcasting levy could be fair to all parties.

“Government has aimed to increase investment in the sector with schemes such as the Local Democracy Fund. It’s counter-productive to provide financial supports only for them to be taken back through a last minute and over-the-top increase.

“Local and regional journalism plays a vital service to our communities, delivering quality and verifiable news that we can depend on. Now, more than ever, we need to protect that service, so I am calling on Coimisiún na Meán to engage with stakeholders to put an arrangement in place that works for everyone.”