Broadcasters seek end to ban on paid political radio adverts

THE INDEPENDENT Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) has called for the removal on the ban on paid political advertising on radio.

The ban extends not only to political parties, but entities such as trade unions and interest groups.

Speaking at its annual conference yesterday, IBI chairman Willie O’Reilly said there was a “strong legal case at European level against the ban in the context of freedom of expression”.

He described the situation where political parties can advertise on a radio station’s website but not on the station itself as “ludicrous”.

“The current law is outmoded and inappropriate and it is questionable as to whether it is robust enough to withstand a legal challenge in the European Court,” he said.

“If the Government refuses to look at this issue seriously we may be left with no option but to take a challenge to the courts ourselves.”

Research carried out by political scientist Dr Kevin Rafter on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) found more than half the electorate were either completely against allowing political advertising or strongly against it.

He said the biggest fear was an American-style situation where the party with the most amount of money was able to commandeer the most amount of airtime.

He told delegates that if restrictions were placed on political advertising, public support for it increased dramatically.

Labour spokeswoman on broadcasting Liz McManus said in politics “money talks” and it would be “grossly unfair and dangerous to democracy if a situation existed where those with the deepest pockets can essentially buy elections”.

She said that politicians would have to face up to the question even when it might be easier to protect the status quo.

Former government press adviser Mandy Johnston said the ban was obsolete and politicians should legislate for it before the courts decide to do it.

“The debate about the principle of political advertising is somewhat redundant now. It would be wiser for people involved in framing legislation to concentrate on how and when this could happen.

“They should not wait for this to become a judicial fait accompli,”she added.

She did not share the view of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan that such advertising would be too difficult to police, saying that there was already legislation to govern advertising standards.

BAI chief executive Michael O’Keeffe pointed out that there had been two major pieces of broadcasting legislation since 2000, but neither had addressed the issue of political advertising.

He said he was not convinced that there was a great demand for changes to the present rules in relation to political advertising.

“There is still a fairly sizeable majority in favour of the status quo. I’m not sure we have reached the consensus point where people are saying that yes this is a good idea,” he said.

He said the situation might arise where a Trocaire advertisement might be followed by one for Youth Defence.

“If you liberalise the situation, you would have to accept the consequences,” he explained.