Sir, - The Family and Media Association is concerned about indications that the Government does not intend to publish a White Paper on the future of broadcasting in this country.
Like many other interested parties, the association submitted a formal response to the Government's Green Paper, entitled "Active or Passive? Broadcasting in the Future Tense", which was published last year.
The Association's response was based on the understanding that, following consideration of all the views expressed, a White Paper, setting out the Government's policy proposals, would issue in due course. Indeed, this was clearly implied at the launch of the Green Paper when Mr Higgins, Minister for the Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, in response to questions about revenue and costs, stated that these issues were more appropriate to a White Paper.
The association has noted that in the winter issue of Vision, which is published by the Minister's Department, the Minister is quoted as saying, in reply to a parliamentary question, ". . . having regard to the amount of time that the preparation and publication of a White Paper would add to the process, I am inclined . . . to move directly to the legislative stage, in which case I would then publish the proposals for legislation, approved by Government, prior to the Bill being drafted".
The Association is appalled at the Minister's intention to circumvent or short circuit the normal practice of publishing a White Paper, following circulation of the Green Paper. In the White Paper the Government would set out its policy proposals on the future of broadcasting, including details of revenue/cost implications, projected legislation, etc. In such an important area as broadcasting, it is essential that the future direction of Government policy and, strategy be clearly articulated. This would afford the 130 parties, which had submitted views on the Green Paper, the opportunity to consider, and comment on, what the Government had in mind.
Any contemplated departure from that arrangement would not be acceptable, especially since it would clearly be in breach of the Government's stated policy on openness, transparency and account ability in the conduct of its affairs, and would certainly raise serious doubts about its commitment in that respect. The Minister's proposition - to publish the legislative proposals, as "approved by Government", would effectively present interested parties with a fait accompli and reduce the "discussion process" to a charade. Even if the legislative proposals were to be published, prior to their submission to Government, it would still be difficult to offer an informed view on their merits or otherwise in the absence of a clear statement by the Government on its future policy on broadcasting generally.
The Association has written to the Minister seeking an assurance that the Government will publish a White Paper on the future of broadcasting. Such an assurance has not been forthcoming to date. It hopes that publication of this letter will alert other interested groups to the situation. Yours, etc.,
Chairman,
Family and Media Association,
Upper Gardiner Street,
Dublin 1.