THE Government’s decision to support RTÉ to the tune of €725million over the next three years has been called into question by Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue.
The Independent Ireland co-founder claimed that the move equates to a contribution of €30million between now and 2027 from the tax payers of County Limerick alone “to financially reward RTÉ, despite a year-long saga of financial scandals, ridicules public concerns and accountability.”
“The justification for allocating €725m to RTÉ, while others barely scrape by, is not only unjust but also demands immediate rectification,” he insisted.
Deputy O’Donoghue deemed it completely unfair that RTÉ, despite earning a significant amount from advertisers, still receives 93 per cent of all TV licence fee revenues and now has guaranteed public funding.
“It’s noteworthy that RTÉ’s stronghold in the advertising realm enables it to single-handedly dictate the market rate for TV advertising. This dominance has a ripple effect on other providers who are devoid of taxpayer support, further tilting the balance in RTÉ’s favour,” he claimed.
The County Limerick politician is of the view that this decision not only compromises the principles of accountability and value for money, it also poses a threat to a fair and equitable media landscape.
“The government missed a golden opportunity to reassess its priorities and ensure a level playing field for all broadcasters,” he said.
“This hugely controversial decision to increase taxpayer funding for RTÉ carries significant implications for media diversity, including the very survival of independent and private media outlets.
“While it is important to support public service journalism, this support should have been distributed equitably to ensure a diverse, competitive, and robust media landscape,” he concluded.
