The Broadcasting Bill, which will modernise and change the face of Irish broadcasting, is expected to be published before the summer.

As part of the Bill, which will amend the Broadcasting Act, a number of changes will be made. Firstly, a new Broadcasting Authority will be established – the Authority will assume the role of both the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission among other responsibilities.

It will look at the issue of advertising to children, an issue about which I feel very strongly. It will also change the way in which board-members are appointed – parliamentary colleagues will be in a position to nominate suitable persons – which is absolutely correct. The Bill will amend the television licensing system to essentially provide that the court appearance for non-payment of licence fee will be “a last resort”– it will not impose a television licence requirement on internet connections. Above all, the Bill allows for the modernisation and improvement of broadcasting technology in Ireland, while establishing a firm regulatory framework for both the public and independent broadcasting sectors. This Bill will be hugely important as Irish broadcasting develops in the years to come.

Press release at http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2008/Government+publishes+Broadcasting+Bill+2008.htm

See my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqK23rb8zYc&feature=channel_page