NUJ slams RTÉ funding cut
The NUJ has strongly condemned the Irish government’s decision to cut funding to RTÉ, reneging on its commitment to provide multi-annual funding to the public service broadcaster.
Reacting to the news, NUJ General Secretary Laura Davison said the €20 million cut exposed the government’s failure to meet its commitment to guarantee a well-funded and independent national broadcaster in Ireland.
Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, said:
“This cut threatens RTÉ’s ability to deliver on its programme of change, aimed at securing the future of the national broadcaster. While we may not agree entirely with how RTÉ is proposing to structure itself, we are aligned on the need to maintain a properly funded, independent national broadcaster. RTÉ provides a vital public service, including holding government to account, but now finds itself in a seriously regressive position where yet again it faces financial uncertainty - which in turn causes stress and anxiety for our members.
“This development undermines the important work of the Future of Media Commission, which recommended mechanisms to provide predictable public funding for RTÉ. The government failed to take on board the Commission’s recommendation to scrap the existing licence fee and move to a more sustainable long-term funding model. We believe this latest cut is the consequence of this failure.
“The ability of government to summarily cut funding to RTÉ risks compromising the essential independence of the organisation. The Commission said that an independently assessed recurring funding package lasting three to four years was a core part of ensuring RTÉ’s independence from government. Today’s decision is therefore alarming.
“RTÉ should not be looking over its shoulder at government fearful of future cuts in funding. The government’s own Commission on the future of media pointed to independent journalism as being fundamental to democracy. The government urgently needs to establish the cost and value of protecting that democracy.
“This decision raises serious questions about the government’s willingness to meet its pledges. It had agreed to a multi-annual programme of funding - now it is walking back its commitment to public service broadcasting. We urge the government to reconsider its decision and reform RTÉ’s funding model to secure the long-term future of Ireland’s national broadcaster.”