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RTÉ: What do you think?
The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires that RTÉ prepare by July 2010 a Public Service Statement. The purpose of the Public Service Statement is to explain to the wider public what is expected of RTÉ in return for the significant public support it receives in the form of the television licence fee.
In short, the Statement will clearly explain RTÉ’s public purpose and the principles it will observe and the activities it will undertake to deliver that public purpose. The Statement is to be reviewed every five years.
The Public Service Statement will replace the existing Public Service Charter which was published in July 2004.
RTÉ is seeking the views of the wider public to help inform the new Public Service Statement.
To help frame your views, below is a summary of Article 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 which briefly sets out RTÉ’s public service objects. This is important because RTÉ’s public service objects set the legal parameters for the Public Service Statement. Following the summary is a brief description of RTÉ’s main services.
In order to include as many people and opinions as possible, we have provided three different options. Depending on your level of interest and available time to participate, we hope that one of these should suit you. We look forward to receiving your views.
The closing date for sending RTÉ your views is 30th April 2010.
1. Summary of Article 114 – Broadcasting Act 2009
Role of RTÉ
Article 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires that RTÉ operate a national television and radio broadcasting service which shall have the character of a public service, be made available, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, free-to-air to the whole community on the island of Ireland and to Irish communities abroad.
RTÉ is also required to offer website, teletext and other non-linear services of a public service character; maintain archives and libraries and sustain orchestras, choirs, and other cultural performing groups. In addition RTÉ must operate, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, community, local, or regional broadcasting services.
In the event of a major emergency, RTÉ will assist and co-operate with the relevant public bodies in the dissemination of information to the public.
Guiding Principles
In pursuit of these objectives RTÉ must be responsive to the interests and concerns of the whole community, be mindful of the need for understanding and peace within the whole island of Ireland, ensure that the programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of the whole island of Ireland, and have special regard for the elements which distinguish that culture and in particular for the Irish language.
RTÉ must uphold the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution, especially those relating to rightful liberty of expression, and have regard to the need for the formation of public awareness and understanding of the values and traditions of countries other than Ireland.
Programmes and Activities
RTÉ services must provide a comprehensive range of programmes in the Irish and English languages that reflect the cultural diversity of the whole island of Ireland and include programmes that entertain, inform and educate, provide coverage of sporting, religious and cultural activities and cater for the expectations of the whole community including those with special or minority interests and which, in every case, respect human dignity. RTÉ must also facilitate or assist contemporary cultural expression and encourage or promote innovation and experimentation in broadcasting.
RTÉ must provide programmes of news and current affairs in the Irish and English languages, including programmes that provide coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European Parliament.
Finally given that RTÉ is a dual funded public service broadcaster, relying on commercial and licence fee income, RTÉ is allowed to exploit such commercial opportunities as may arise in the pursuit of the objectives described above.
To read the full Broadcasting Act 2009 please click here
2. RTÉ Services
RTÉ is Ireland’s most diversified media organisation, with a broad and recently expanded remit to deliver television and radio broadcasting, online and news services, performing groups and transmission networks, both analogue and digital.
To view the full range of RTÉ’s services please click here
3. Participation Options
As this is a public consultation process and in the interests of openness and transparency, RTÉ requires that individuals include basic demographic details so that your responses can be grouped with people similar to you.
We would also ask that if you are making a representation on behalf of an organisation or special interest group that you include a name and contact details so that RTÉ may contact you should clarification of your comments be required. Furthermore, and again in the context of openness and transparency RTÉ envisages that attributed comments may be placed in the public domain for third party review.
Option One
This is a brief questionnaire which comprises a series multiple choice questions and is intended to allow people who are short on time to participate in the consultation. You can answer as many or as few questions as you wish. (Duration approx. 5-10 Minutes)
Click Here for Option One >
Option Two
Option Two is a more extensive questionnaire. The questions are open ended and are designed to give you more freedom to tell us what you think RTÉ should be doing and the principles it should observe. We don’t expect that you will want to answer all of these questions but feel free to give your views on as many or as few topics as you wish. (Duration approx. 20+ Minutes)
Click Here for Option Two>
Option Three
If neither of the above approaches is suitable to your needs, please use option three to address any topic you think relevant to the purpose of this consultation.
Click Here for Option Three >
If you require Braille, Audio, Clear Print or Large Print options, please contact RTÉ on 01 208 3434.
Alternatively you can email your submission to yourviews@rte.ie or post it to:
Public Service Statement Consultation
Corporate Communications
2nd Floor Administration Building
RTÉ
Donnybrook
Dublin 4