John Bruton
Ceist:143 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has plans to lift the ban on religious advertising. [5651/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 February 2004
Ceisteanna (53)
Freagraí scríofa
As I explained in reply to Question No. 606 on 27 January, the ban on religious advertising as provided for in section 20(4) of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960, as qualified by section 65 of the Broadcasting Act 2001, and section 10(3) of the Radio and Television Act 1988, should remain.
In arriving at my decision, I had regard to a diverse range of opinions expressed during a public consultation process I conducted last year. In arriving at the view that the ban should remain I was conscious of the potential intrusive nature of advertising on radio and television, which is different to other forms of advertising. It is not desirable that individual groups would be in a position to buy air time to deliver an unchallenged message aimed at influencing and altering behaviour in society in circumstances where it is difficult for the public to test or verify positions advanced.
Section 65 of the Broadcasting Act 2001 provides that the ban on religious advertising does not preclude the broadcasting of a notice of the fact that a particular religious newspaper, magazine or periodical is available for sale or supply or that any event or ceremony associated with any particular religion will take place, if the contents of the notice do not address the issue of the merits or otherwise of adhering to any religious faith or belief or of becoming a member of any religion or religious organisation. Submissions received as part of the consultation process together with a report on the consultation process itself and the documents that set out the basis for my decision, are available on my Department's website.