Vol. 554 No. 5
806 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will ensure that RTE and TV3 give all elected Deputies fair and balanced coverage; and his views on whether failure to do this is an attack on the democratic process. [15591/02]
Section 18(1) of the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960, as amended by the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976, and section 9(1) of the Radio and Television Act, 1988, require broadcasters to ensure that all news and current affairs programmes are reported and presented in an objective and impartial manner and without expression of the broadcasters own views. Under section 24 of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission has the power to investigate and decide upon complaints that a broadcaster has not been fair and impartial with regard to a particular broadcast or broadcasts. I have no function in the matter.
