THE RTE Authority cites conflict of interest and a threat to the station's editorial independence as two of the reasons it objects to proposed new broadcasting legislation.
The authority, in its first public comment on the proposals, said that by subsuming the role of the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC), the regulatory body for commercial broadcasting, into the proposed Broadcasting Commission, the distinction between public and commercial broadcasting will blurred. This risked a conflict of interest.
The statement said the commission's powers of intervention will allow it to go deep into the operations of RTE in a way that threatens not only its organisational but editorial independence.
RTE is also concerned that the full time nature of the five commissioners will not enable them to remain detached from day to day broadcasting operations and programme content.
It was also undesirable that the commission, "with its extensive regulatory and policy making powers, should also be the body to investigate and adjudicate upon complaints.
RTE's own submission to the Minister proposed the establishment of a National Broadcasting Commission to take its place alongside RTE and the IRTC. This would underpin public service broadcasting, it maintained.
RTE proposed a body with advisory and executive responsibilities for policy, standards and arbitration as means of ensuring greater social, as distinct from political accountability in broadcasting.
The Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, announced the heads of the Bill last week. He accepted his proposals had little chance of being ready to go to the Dail before an election.
Fianna Fail has already indicated its opposition to the Bill's central thrust, the creation of the broadcasting commission with its strong powers and responsibilities over all broadcasting matters.
RTE welcomed some aspects of Mr Higgins's proposals.