IRTC warns stations against support for FF

THE Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) has warned against a suggestion by the chairman of the Association of Independent Radio Stations (AIRS) that member stations should endorse Fianna Fail in the general election.

In a letter sent to all chief executives yesterday, the IRTC said any station endorsing a party in this way would be in "serious breach" of its contract with the commission.

The IRTC acted after Mr Charlie Collins wrote to station managers proposing a common policy in the run-up to the election. His letter suggested daily endorsements of Fianna Fail - not involving journalists - and proposed that journalists be "instructed" to raise the issue of support for independent broadcasting in all political interviews.

Mr Collins claimed yesterday that his proposals had been "misinterpreted". They were contained in a "private, confidential letter" and "may not have been written in the best way", he added. However, he suggested there was a contradiction between the stations' role as commercial broadcasters and the restrictions placed upon them by the IRTC.

Mr Collins claimed that support for his views had been "about 50-50". But in view of the commission's direction, he added that no action of the kind suggested would now be taken.

His letter said that "only Fianna Fail, and to a much lesser extent the PDs" were taking the independent radio sector seriously, with FF's plans including the abolition of the 3 per cent levy to fund the IRTC and a fund for programme development. In contrast, the letter continued, the Rainbow parties had no plans to help the sector except the reduction of the levy to Ii/2 per cent.

"So what do we do? I propose that each and every station make it publicly known through its programmes that it is supporting Fianna Pail, not for party political reasons, but because it is the only party which is serious about helping independent local radio to develop into the next millennium.

"We should not involve our journalists in making the announcement - of our endorsement, for obvious reasons but should make it known through station announcements broadcast every day between now and the election. If it is agreed, we can draft a statement we can use.

"The journalists at our stations should, however, be instructed to raise this issue which is so important to the public they serve, the future of the company they work for and their own livelihoods. They should raise it with every politician, at every opportunity and not be apologetic about doing so."

But speaking from his office in Donegal's Highland Radio, where he is general manager, Mr Collins said there was no question of journalists being instructed to raise the matter. "Journalists are a funny breed of people. They like to remain aloof from these issues."

Asked if he was a supporter of any political party, he said "absolutely not".