Published on
Ireland’s new media regulator and media development agency, Coimisiún Na Meán has today (07.11.23) approved funding of €2.4m for the independent commercial radio sector under the Sound & Vision 4 Broadcasting Funding Scheme. Allocations to individual radio stations range from €35,000 to €95,000. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, made the funding available for this special round of the scheme, administered by Coimisiún na Meán.
Commercial radio stations will use this funding to produce programmes covering a range of topics of interest to their listeners, agreed in consultation with the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland. The topics are Media Literacy; Digital Transformation; Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Developing Communities and Communities of Interest.
Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “We would like to thank Minister Martin for the provision of this funding, which will enable the independent commercial radio sector to develop high quality, new and additional programming to engage their audiences around the country. The funding will also assist stations to explore opportunities that increase audience engagement through training and outreach activities, in particular for minorities and newer communities.”
A full list of the successful projects being offered funding for Round 50 is available to download here.
Round 51 of the Scheme is now open, seeking funding applications from broadcasters and independent producers, and the closing date for this round is Thursday, 14th December 2023. Further details can be found here.
ENDS
Media contact: Joanne Ahern / Síona Cahill, DHR Communications, Tel: 087-9881837 / 087-7530255.
All other queries: Coimisiún na Meán, 01-6441200.
Notes for Editors:
About the Sound and Vision Scheme:
Sound and Vision 4 is a funding scheme for television and radio programmes and developing broadcasting, established under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009 as amended. The Scheme supports the production of high-quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to include adult literacy.
There are six objectives for the Scheme:
• Develop high quality programmes based on Irish culture, heritage, and experience
• Develop these programmes in the Irish language,
• Increase the availability of programmes referred to above to audiences in the State
• Represent the diversity of Irish culture and heritage
• Record oral Irish heritage and aspects of Irish heritage which are disappearing, under threat, or have not been previously recorded, and,
• Develop local and community broadcasting.
About Coimisiún na Meán:
Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s new commission for regulating broadcasters, on-demand services, and online media, and supporting media development. Established in March 2023 under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, it builds on the work of its predecessor, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. It is responsible for ensuring and maintaining a thriving and diverse media landscape in Ireland that facilitates a mix of voices, opinions and sources of news and current affairs, as well as a safe online environment.
Its responsibilities are to: