Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
State Agency of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources overview
Formed 1 October 2009 (2009-10-01)
Preceding agencies
  • Broadcasting Commission of Ireland
  • Broadcasting Complaints Commission
Jurisdiction Ireland
Headquarters 2 – 5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2
State Agency of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources executive
  • Bob Collins, Chairman
Key document
  • Broadcasting Act, 2009
Website BAI website

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) (Irish: Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann) was established on 1 October 2009 effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) (Irish: Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann).

The BAI is the regulator of both public and commercial broadcasting sector in Ireland.

History

Previous Role of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI)

The BCI was responsible for arranging the provision of television and radio services in addition to those provided by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). In addition, it was responsible for developing codes on advertising and other matters, which apply both its own stations and those of RTÉ.[5] Its role has expanded following the statutory instrument signed by Minister Eamonn Ryan on 24 September 2009 to include Analogue terrestrial television switchoff in Ireland (aerial/transmitter system) and licensing the more channel spacious digital terrestrial television channel licensing that it will undertake once the commercial DTT contract is concluded with the current consortium.[6][7]

Contract method under the BCI

Transition to Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Main article: Broadcasting Act 2009

Under the Broadcasting Act 2009[9][10][11][12] the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI)

The Authority officially come into being when a Statutory Instrument appointed 1 October 2009 as the day for it to assume its powers is made by the Minister for Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources. Until then, the BCI continued to operate under the terms of the Radio and Television Act 1988, notwithstanding the 2009 Act's repeal of that Act.

Members

The Authority will comprise nine members. Five members were announced on 30 September 2009 and were appointed by the Government of Ireland on the nomination of the Minister and a further four were appointed following the nomination of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

The five government appointees to the Authority are:

In addition to the Authority, the BAI now comprises two separate and independent committees – a Contract Awards Committee and a Compliance Committee. Nominees to these boards were announced on 30 November 2009, by Minister Eamon Ryan.

The Contract Awards Committee members include:

The Compliance Committee members are:

The Contracts Award Committee will license independent commercial and community broadcasters including digital television providers.

The Compliance Committee will require all broadcasters, public or private, to comply with their licence conditions, broadcasting codes and rules. New codes in relation to children's advertising, among others, will be introduced under the Broadcasting Act.[13] Remaining appointments recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee following interviewing of candidates for the main and subcommittees of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, under the new arrangements put in place under the Broadcasting Act are awaited for nomination to posts by Minister Ryan.

The Sound and Vision Fund

The BAI is in charge of the Irish government's Broadcasting Fund which is taken from the TV Licence Fee. Since 2006 the BCI have given nearly €20million euro to Independent producers for TV, Radio and Film that meet the requirement of the scheme. They have provided funds to programmes and films such as Hunger (Film Four), Aifric and Kings (TG4), School Run (TV3) and Garage (RTÉ). The producer must have the support of a Free-to-air broadcaster, the UK's broadcasters are sufficient since they are available FTA via Satellite, Setanta have produce a discussion Sports Matter which is unencrypted when it airs on the channel.

See also

External links

References

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