Researchers have suggested considering a new public service broadcaster in the event of a united Ireland, drawing on the resources of existing organizations like RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland. The report proposes a model with regional hubs across the island and explores alternative funding mechanisms to avoid the difficulties of replicating current structures.
Public Media Ireland: A Potential New Model
The report, compiled by academics from Ulster University and Dublin City University, examined the future of public service media should Ireland unify. It considered options including the continuation of BBC Northern Ireland, a takeover by RTÉ, or the establishment of a new entity.
Authors concluded that replicating the current RTÉ/BBC funding structure would present challenges. They argued that creating new institutions, rather than simply extending existing southern counterparts to the north, would garner greater support from both communities in Northern Ireland.
The report also cited recent governance issues at RTÉ as a reason to favor a fresh start.
Regional Journalism Hubs Proposed
Maintaining the status quo was deemed “most likely a non-starter” due to Northern Ireland falling outside the UK TV Licence framework in a reunified Ireland. However, researchers believe audiences in Northern Ireland would likely continue to have access to BBC radio and television programs.
Instead, the report proposes a new public service media organization, tentatively named Public Media Ireland, with a focus on regional coverage. Ten regional journalism hubs are suggested, located in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen, Newry, Athlone, Galway, Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and Cork, to cover both news and cultural stories.
The proposed organization should be diverse, “decentralised” and based on a sustainable funding system, the report states. It cautioned against funding issues and TV licence fee evasion, as well as potential political interference with direct funding.
The report recommends a funding model similar to that of Finnish public media, where individuals pay 2.5% of their “total earned income and capital income” above €14,000, with a maximum annual payment of €163.
Kickstarting a Debate
The research acknowledges that Irish reunification is not imminent and that media sector planning will likely be a lower priority compared to areas like healthcare, taxation, and policing.
Dr. Phil Ramsey from Ulster University stated the research “kickstarts a debate” on the future of media across Ireland. “This is the beginning of a conversation and we want interested parties to have their say on the recommendations,” he said.
Dr. Dawn Wheatley, from Dublin City University, emphasized the vital role of public broadcasters in democracies and the importance of considering their future in reunification discussions. “It is impossible to say with certainty what might happen to public media should the reunification of Ireland ever occur,” she said.
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