I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.
The Report of the Future of Media Commission defined Public Service Media as “publicly owned, publicly funded media organisations that primarily provide Public Service Content that is free at the point of consumption”. The Commission’s report also provides a definition of Public Service Content Providers (PSCP) as “non-publicly owned media organisations across the print, online and broadcasting sectors that provide Public Service Content to their audiences”.
While the definition of Public Service Media set out by the Commission relates to RTÉ and TG4, other broadcasters, including Virgin Media, together with a wide range of print and online media platforms, clearly also provide public service content.
The Broadcasting and other Media Regulation Acts 2009 and 2022 uses the term ‘public service broadcaster’, in referring to RTÉ, TG4 and the Houses of the Oireachtas Channel. In this regard, Sections 114 and 118 of the 2009 Act outline RTÉ’s and TG4’s principal objects and powers, and requires that they provide services “which shall have the character of a public service”. The Acts oblige both RTÉ and TG4 to provide a comprehensive range of programmes that reflect our cultural diversity, programmes that entertain, inform and educate, provide coverage of sporting, religious and cultural activities, provide news and current affairs, and cater for society at large including those with special or minority interests. As such, all of the programming by these two broadcasters can be considered to be in line with their statutory obligations and with their duties as public service broadcasters, and public funding is provided to support such activities.
With regard to other broadcasters, Section 70 of the 2009 Act makes provision for Coimisiún na Meán to enter into television programme service contracts with other audiovisual content providers. Virgin Media holds a Section 70 contract which includes the requirement that the broadcaster is responsive to the interests and concerns of the whole community, upholds democratic values and has a reasonable proportion of news and current affairs programmes. As such, Virgin Media can be characterised as a provider of public service content.
