People Before Profit has called for RTÉ’s public finding to be increased by €500 million. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Murphy introduced a People Before Profit (PBP) amendment to a Sinn Féin motion, calling on the government to increase public funding for the national broadcaster by raising €500 million through a big tech tax on large technology, communications and information corporations.
He made the call during a debate on the Reform of the Television Licence Fee Model: Motion [Private Members] Bill, introduced by Sinn Féin, which was being debated in the Dáil on Tuesday.
The Dublin South-West TD put forward a number of amendments to the Bill on behalf of his party, which included inserting the call on the government to increase the national broadcaster’s public funding, and ensuring that workers and jobs in RTE are protected.
It came as the House heard that a number of scandals at RTE had destroyed confidence and trust in the management of the broadcaster.
The Sinn Fein private members motion would scrap the “unfair” television licence fee with immediate effect, and would also mandate the government to invest Exchequer funding in a platform-neutral Media Fund which would support public service media content production and the activities of commercial, local and community providers along with RTÉ and TG4. Additionally, it would mean the introduction of a legal amnesty from prosecution for those who have not paid their licence fee.
While deputy Paul Murphy said that “the TV licence has to go,” he claimed there was a “pre-existing” “anti-public service broadcasting agenda” in place, further claiming that many right-wing politicians had “salivated at the prospect of scandal” at the broadcaster.
He claimed it was a scandal that “took focus away from themselves for a little while,’ adding:
“Second, it provided an opportunity to pursue a pre-existing agenda, which is an anti-public service broadcasting agenda. That is actually what has been happening. In a way we see here an example of a shock doctrine. “
Referencing the role of social media in the distribution of information, the TD said that the alternative to investing in public service broadcasting would be to rely on billionaires. Citing Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Murphy said, “these are the people determining what kind of news, what kind of information and what kind of entertainment people are getting.”
“In reality, these social media giants are parasites on the media as a whole. We need to tax those and use it to fund a full-spectrum public service broadcasting throughout the country.”
The PBP amendment, along with calling for €500 million to be raised for RTE, would ensure “that workers and jobs in RTÉ are protected,” — and would “ensure that the range and quality of services provided by RTÉ are protected, and ensure there is an expansion of cultural, arts and entertainment services and content.”
The amendment would also “ensure that there is no further privatisation and/or outsourcing of services and production for RTÉ,” and would scrap the “unfair TV licence fee.”
Deputy Michael Collins of Independent Ireland, meanwhile, said the RTÉ scandal “continues to echo throughout Ireland,” as he told colleagues that the broadcaster’s heavy reliance on the license fee, funded by taxpayers, underscored its “precarious” financial positon.
“This dependence is a stark reminder of the broadcaster’s financial vulnerability and it raises questions about the sustainability of this model in the long term,” the Cork TD said.
He also critiqued the Sinn Féin motion, saying that while it may “appeal to the masses, it fails to offer a holistic solution to RTÉ’s challenges.”
“In fact, it risks imposing the full weight of the broadcaster’s inefficiencies on the taxpayer. This approach could potentially burden taxpayers with the full cost of the broadcaster’s inefficiencies, which is not a sustainable or fair solution,” he said.
The TD said it was crucial to diversify the distribution of public sector broadcasting funds, adding that at present, RTÉ is the primary recipient of these funds. Deputy Collins said that other sources of media could help create “a more diverse and resilient” Irish media landscape.
“However, a more equitable distribution of these funds would involve allocating to areas like local radio, for example, to my own local stations, 96 FM, Red FM and 103 FM. They need to be fairly funded, the same as everybody else, and they seem to have struggles much of the time.
“There is also Gript.ie and local newspapers like the Southern Star. The funding issue has to be discussed as this would stimulate a more diverse and resilient media landscape.
“That strategy would not only promote competition but also guarantee that a plurality of perspectives, viewpoints and voices is heard, which is essential for a healthy democracy.
“While the Sinn Féin motion represents a positive step, it is not the cure for all of RTÉ’s problems. A more comprehensive, democratic and inclusive strategy is required to truly transform the broadcaster and regain public trust.”
Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty, meanwhile said that the government had failed badly to implement recommendations and abolish the TV licence and put public service broadcasting on a “certain footing, with a triple lock.”
“The triple lock is that first, it would be multi-annual funding; second, it would be independently put forward by Coimisiún na Meán and; third, if a Minister were to deviate from it, a written explanation – that would be laid out in legislation – would have to be provided and it would only happen with votes in both Houses of the Oireachtas,” he said.
“That would provide certainty for the media. I urge the Government to implement the recommendations and to stop hiding behind what it really plans to do, which is to apply a new additional charge on people.”
Media Minister Catherine Martin, on the other hand, said she welcomed the importance of the debate, but said that RTE’s future funding model must be done “in a planned and considered way” in order for it to be future-proof.
“I believe we have more that unites us than divides us on this matter and I am determined to ensure that this is decided upon once and for all in the lifetime of this Government. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. I look forward to a positive debate and greatly value the input Deputies make to the ongoing discussion.” she said.
Deputy Mattie McGrath referred to the 13,000 people who were brought to court to be prosecuted for not paying the licence fee.
“The content on RTÉ has deteriorated rapidly in the last ten years. I have been saying this at committees and to the Ministers who were in this position before,” Deputy McGrath said.
“I support all of the staff, from the man in the cabin who we meet going in the gate, to the make-up artists, the researchers and all of those good people and ordinary correspondents.
“The issue is the carry-on at the top and the Minister’s reluctance and inability to deal with it. Her response is to commission this report and that report, and we will have all the reports in the world and all the questions coming back. We need basic transparency. I serve on boards and I know there has to be accountability.”
The Tipperary TD said it was the case that Dee Forbes “rides into the sunset” along with many others.
“Then they bring in Mr. Bakhurst even though he was out of that stable before. What is going on? Does the Minister think the people are complete clowns? They might watch comedy but they do not want to have comedians made out of them. “He who pays the piper calls the tune” is the old seanfhocal. What is going on is not acceptable.”
He also claimed the Sinn Fein motion was “hollow,” stating:
“As regards the motion, I do not know where the Sinn Féin Members are. For 30 years, they were locked out of RTÉ and due to section 31, they were not let in. Now, they are on it morning, noon, evening and night, and even when we are in bed, they are on it.
“They are being cosied up to for the next Government and we can see that quite clearly. This is hollow. We can see the carry-on, the shenanigans and the inability and reluctance of the Government to deal with it. We need a proper investigation from outside the country, which I looked for, but the Minister would not do that because she wanted reports in order to keep friendly with them.
“They will give all the narrative and if anybody is not 100% the same or has any other narrative, they are far right, loony left or something else. It is shocking what is going on but the people can see through it; as plain as day, they can see what is going on. It is deception,” he said.