Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly has today (22nd April) made an impassioned plea on behalf of local radio stations who are facing a shock hike of thousands of euros in broadcasting levies.
Speaking in the Seanad Senator O’ Reilly said
This news has come like a bolt from the blue for so many local radio stations who let’s face it punch way above their weight and are absolutely vital in their respective local communities .
My own local station Northern Sound is like ‘a friend in the kitchen’ for so so many people .It is a source of news , entertainment and companionship , people tune in to hear local voices , hear about local events , deaths ;they feel engaged , they feel part of it , it is a community across the airwaves .
Now we hear today (22nd April )that the Broadcast levy for small Radio Stations will increase by 39% and in some cases that translates to €14,000
Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) say they got no notice of this which is flabbergasting When 2025 figures are taken into account this new rise results in a cumulative increased charge of 69% in just 2 years.
I find the Media Minister Patrick O Donovan’s handling of this to be incredibly high handed and reflective of his ‘salvo’ about what he some people getting ‘too much air time during the fuel protests’ and wanted Coimisiún na Meán to investigate.
His arrogance was astounding and sent FG into yet another tail spin with Tánaiste Simon Harris running for cover and saying there was in fact no need for coming out saying there was no need after all for Coimisiún na Meán to investigate anything.
His intervention only came, of course, on the back of a huge backlash from those who genuinely support the freedom of the press.
As a ‘sweetener’ the media minister back peddled on his threat and then signed off on a 20K pay rise for the RTE Boss Kevin Bakhurst.
Local media get scant supports, and they have to sink or swim unlike our well insulated state broadcaster
I am calling on Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan to intervene immediately on this levy for local radio stations and to come before us for statements on this
Small local radio Stations are doing great work , they are doing it on a shoestring and for some it is simply unaffordable – do not put them on the road –
RTE got bailed out to the tune of €750m, reward for bad behaviour, Slush funds, flip flops and wasting tax payer money .
This, is a very threatening move by Coimisiún na Meán, I expect and call on Minister O’ Donovan to come in here to the Seanad and explain himself”
