Marian Harkin
Question:53. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will put supports in place as a matter of urgency to support the local print media sector. [22310/21]
View answerWednesday, 28 April 2021
Questions (53)
Oral answers (4 contributions)
I want to ask the Minister if, even now, she will put in place Covid-specific supports for the local print media sector.
The Government rightly put Covid supports in place for the local radio sector. It was badly needed and it has made a real difference. Why has a similar Covid-specific fund not been put in place for local newspapers, many of which are hanging on by their fingernails?
A strong and independent media sector is central to our parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and to the provision of quality and impartial information, particularly in the context of Covid-19. I recognise the essential role that the print media plays in this regard and the particular value of local and regional newspapers in bringing communities together and sharing reliable and relevant local news.
In terms of specific supports for the local print sector, it is of particular importance regarding media organisations to avoid any perception of undue Government interference or influence and the funding of newspapers is therefore a complex issue. I am, however, cognisant of the importance of this sector, and the financial issues which it currently faces.
This is a sector which has been in decline over the last number of years and is undergoing fundamental changes due to new patterns in the consumption of media and a shift to online advertising. In recognition of these longer term challenges, the programme for Government provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission to consider the future of print, broadcast and online media in a platform-agnostic fashion. While the commission is not a representative body, the Taoiseach and I were pleased to be in a position to appoint a member of the commission who has a strong background in local print and radio. In addition, at the commission’s invitation, the representative group, Local Ireland, has participated in two panel discussions with commission members and the public as part of the commission’s series of thematic dialogues. The commission has therefore been extensively briefed on issues facing the local print sector. I look forward to receiving the commission's report in the summer. The print sector has participated in the commission’s consultations and will be part of the recommendations.
The sector has suffered losses from Covid-19 and is receiving Government supports such as the temporary wage subsidy scheme and the employment wage subsidy scheme. In the shorter term, the loss of advertising the sector has suffered from the impact of the restrictions has been helped by the public health advertising placed by the Government. I understand that in the region of €4.4 million has been expended on regional print advertising form March 2020 to date.
The Minister and I do not disagree on the value of the local print media. It provides independent and quality journalism, but we are in danger of losing it. The Minister spoke of the need to avoid the perception of interference by Government that would result if it were to fund the local print media. That is an excuse; it is not a reason. The Government helped to fund local radio, and rightly so. Nobody is accusing the Government of trying to interfere, editorially or otherwise, as far as local radio is concerned. The explanation given by the Minister is an excuse, not a reason.
I am sure that it is not beyond the bounds of the Minister's Department to find an arms-length scheme or way of helping local newspapers to provide a sustainable future.
As to the comparison with the radio sector, the Covid-19 related measures put in place for the radio sector were provided through specific funding rounds of the existing sound and vision scheme. The current scheme in place to support radio is a statutory scheme provided for under Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and largely funded by the television licence. It is limited by statute to audiovisual and sound media and is independently administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI.
There is no equivalent statutory framework for the print sector. The BAI has no function in funding the print sector. Given that the Future of Media Commission is due to report in the next few months, it is best to wait for its recommendations.
My officials and I have had engagement with the sector and continue to do so. From the examinations undertaken by my officials, the sector is availing of horizontal supports to business put in place by the Government. As I have said, it has benefitted from public health advertising. I am aware that there will be more campaigns that will help the print sector. However, I want to look at what is appropriate for the long-term survival and development of the sector. I will give serious consideration to the recommendations from the future of media commission.