NNI is outraged by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s draft proposal to increase the amount of advertising permissible on independent commercial television in Ireland.

The nature of the Irish advertising market means that any changes to the rules governing broadcast media will have an immediate knock-on, particularly, in this case, print media.

At a time when all media are struggling to generate advertising revenue, NNI is extremely concerned that the BAI is seeking to move to the very limit of what ispermitted (not required) under the Directive in a manner that would have a devasting effect on the Irish newspaper industry.

We belive that the BAI should take account of the importance of media plurality, and have regards for the need to maintain a proper balance in the diverse media sector in Ireland, rather than simply focus on the competitive challenges being faced by the independent commercial television sector from other television services.

We will be making a formal submission on this matter to the BAI in due course.