INDEPENDENT broadcasters have criticised RTÉ plans to offer clips from their televisions news bulletins for free to national newspapers, who could then host the material on their news websites.
The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI), which represents commercial radio stations, described the proposals as a “knee-jerk reaction” by RTÉ to pressure from the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) to curb its digital media activities.
Scott Williams, chairman of the IBI said: “Irish taxpayers will be subsidising not only RTÉ but now loss-making websites of newspaper groups, including those of British media titles.
“The proposed move by RTÉ, if accepted by NNI, will distort the media landscape even further.”
Mr Williams called on Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte to bring forward the review of public broadcasting so that there was a clear definition of how money raised by the public broadcasting charge can be used.
David McRedmond, chief executive of TV3, said the move was “reckless”. He said giving away its content to newspapers for free would undermine the viability of the wider online industry.
“RTÉ should concentrate on getting its online activities to make money,” he said. “That would then set a marker for the whole industry.”