DCU and UU report makes the case for a new public broadcaster in the event of a reunified Ireland
The report asks whether BBC Northern Ireland would continue to exist; if RTÉ would take over; or, if a new body should be set up. Setting out five options for what might happen, the authors conclude that a reunified Ireland should have a new Public Broadcaster, provisionally called Public Media Ireland.
The report – Public Media Ireland: a New PSM Organisation for a New Country – looks at ideas around journalism, funding and content, suggesting that there is much about the current broadcasters worth preserving. But it takes inspiration from the run up to the Scottish Independence referendum when a new Scottish Broadcasting Service was imagined, by setting out future-facing ideas.
The report acknowledges that “Irish reunification is not a foregone conclusion. It could take place in the medium term, the long term, or indeed not at all.”
It also argues that in the run up to a referendum on the issue, media is likely to come further down the list of priorities for discussion and planning, such as healthcare or taxation – but that whatever media system might emerge would play a crucial role in the shaping of the country.
Key findings of the report include;
A new Public Service Media (PSM) organisation would be required in a reunified Ireland – a solely private model cannot achieve the aims of PSM;
It can’t be taken as a given that RTÉ would simply take over from BBC Northern Ireland;
PSM in a reunified Ireland would not necessarily replicate the dominant RTÉ/BBC model whereby the overwhelming proportion of public funding for journalism is provided to these organisations – public service news could, in theory, be produced by any organisation or individual;
Ten journalism hubs to coordinate output could spread around the island (such as in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen, Newry, Athlone, Galway, Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and Cork);
Complementing journalism and news activity with creative and cultural content is another important strand of PSM output and activity;
The Finnish model for funding PSM should be considered:
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As a progressive system, individuals pay 2.5% of their income above €14,000, capped at €163 annually;
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Organisations with taxable incomes above €50,000 also pay, with a maximum rate of €3,000;
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This generates €529.6m from a population of 5.5m people.
The report comes out of a research collaboration between Dr Phil Ramsey and Dr Stephen Baker (Ulster University), and Dr Roddy Flynn and Dr Dawn Wheatley (Dublin City University), who have worked on issues of media, journalism, and funding for many years. The launch event is being chaired by Susan McKay, Press Ombudsman for Ireland.
Report author, Dr Dawn Wheatley from Dublin City University, said:
“It is impossible to say with certainty what might happen to public media should the reunification of Ireland ever occur. But in this report we suggest that public broadcasters play a vital role within democracies, and so they should not be overlooked in wider debates.”
Report author, Dr Phil Ramsey from Ulster University, said:
“This report kickstarts a debate on what the future of media might look like across Ireland. This is the beginning of a conversation, and we want interested parties to have their say on the recommendations.”
