This week Minister for Media Catherine Martin announced a public funding package of €725 million for RTÉ over the next three years, divided between licence fee revenue and exchequer contributions.
The move follows years of fraught discussion – with several options discussed and lobbied for – on how the national broadcaster should be funded.
Many had believed the licence fee model to be outdated, not least because it is based on actually owning a TV. And in any case, licence fee evasion in Ireland is well above European norms – the system for collecting it is based on unreliable data and old technology – and that’s before the Ryan Tubridy-centred controversy last year which saw a sharp drop in licence fee income.
And if money is coming directly from the government doesn’t that bring its own risks – from political bias to a new administration cutting off funds.
Solicitor launches High Court challenge to new criminal legal aid model
Government considering ‘options’ with EU over Aughinish Alumina supplying Russia, Taoiseach says
Dublin nursing home residents heard ‘shouting for help’ due to low staff levels
Judge orders destruction of Belgian Malinois dog that ‘savaged’ garda’s face during drug search
But is this new multiannual funding enough and is it fair? Irish Times media columnist Laura Slattery explains.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Declan Conlon.
