Record keeping

Retention of copies of programme material

Broadcasters and audiovisual on-demand media service providers are required to retain a copy of all programme material broadcast or made available in a catalogue for such duration as may be determined by Coimisiún na Meán and published on our website pursuant to section 46P(3) of the Broadcasting and Other Media Regulation Acts 2009 and 2022. 

The current retention period specified by us in broadcasting contracts is 90 days. 

We may require a broadcaster or media service provider to provide any programme material to which the obligation to retain under section 46P(2) applies within a specified period.  

A failure to comply with the retention of programme material obligations will constitute a ‘contravention’ which thereby may provide grounds for an administrative financial sanction under Part 8B of the Act. A person who fails to comply with a requirement of the Commission to provide a copy of any programme material without reasonable excuse may be guilty of a category 2 offence. 

Retention of complaint records

Broadcasters and media service providers are obliged to keep a record of complaints made under its Code of Practice and any responses provided to such complaints for a period of two years from the date of receipt of the complaint. Such complaint records are required to be made available to Coimisiún na Meán on request.