TV Access makes submission on the Broadcasting Bill

Monday, 03 November 2008 10:23

The TV Access coalition has made a submission on the Broadcasting Bill, recommending changes that will ensure the representation of older people and people with disabilities within the organisations and structures that will regulate broadcasting in the future.

The draft Bill provides for the representation of people with disabilities on the new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), the boards of the public service broadcasters and the audience councils. However, those provisions are week in that they allow representation but do not guarantee it and they leave the door open for a type of representation that may amount to tokenism.

There is no explicit mention of the representation of older people, even though people aged 55+ already constitute over 20% of the Irish population and this proportion is rapidly increasing. They have particular needs and preferences that may not be shared with younger people and are more likely to be affected by accessibility barriers, so their proper representation is also vital.

We see two possible scenarios, given the current wording of the draft Bill:

  • Of the many people who are "qualified" due to their expertise in disability to be members of the BAI, the Contract Awards Committee, the Compliance Committee or the boards of RTÉ and TG4, none are actually selected. There is therefore no representation.
  • Those who are selected as disability representatives have little knowledge or understanding of broadcasting services and technologies and are therefore unable to properly raise issues of concern and take part in discussions that produce effective solutions. This situation would arise if, for example, a person was appointed simply because they have a disability themselves. This would not necessarily qualify them to represent people with disabilities in matters of broadcasting, so the appointment would, in effect, amount to tokenism.

We are therefore asking that the Bill be changed so that there is a guarantee of representation by people who have knowledge and expertise in disability and ageing, broadcasting and digital media technologies.

View the TV Access submission.