BAI Chairperson Bob Collins spoke of the Broadcasting Authority’s role as State regulator and its willingness to adapt to future change, in a wide-ranging talk before an audience of IFTA members on Tuesday morning.
The breakfast briefing follows the BAI’s recent publication of its draft strategy for 2014-16 and the launch of the BAI Future website, inviting members of the public to submit suggestions by 22nd October.
Having been introduced by the Academy’s Chief Executive Áine Moriarty, Mr Collins opened by quoting Seamus Heaney in his Noble prize acceptance speech in 1995 when the late great poet recalled listening to the radio in the 1940s and how it opened up to him the possibilities offered by broadcasting:
‘…The dial hand swept round from BBC to Radio Éireann, from the intonations of London to those of Dublin, and even though I did not understand what was being said in those first encounters with the gutturals and sibilants of European speech, I had already begun a journey into the wideness of the world beyond.’
Over the course of a discussion that touched upon the role and responsibilities of the BAI, Mr Collins fielded questions and contributions from industry guests including RTÉ Managing Director Glen Killane; TV3’s CEO David McRedmond, Sky Ireland Director Mark Deering; Irish Film Board CEO James Hickey; and Screen Producers Ireland CEO Barbara Gallavan.
Among the topics raised were; the relationship between the BAI and the Department of Communications; whether the BAI assumes an ‘editorial role’ in deciding which projects get funding under Sound & Vision II through their funding schemes; and whether the issue of foreign-content producers should be bound by the same regulations as Irish broadcasting.
Addressing the links between the BAI and the Department of Communications, Mr Collins maintained that ‘Governments are always reluctant to release responsibility’ and he confirmed the BAI’s independence in terms of decision-making.
‘We are absolutely adamant that in the shaping of our own thinking that we act alone,’ he said. ‘To provoke the Government there should be tension between the Government and regulators.’
The four most important points which Mr Collins identified as being central to the BAI are its independence; the quality of their analysis; that their recommendations are sensible, meaningful and implementable; and that they can offer advice that has credibility.
In response to the suggestion that the BAI might hold an ‘editorial’ responsibility (Sound & Vision II fund) across its production funds, Mr Collins found no contradiction between this and the BAI’s professional distance from Government decision-making.
He acknowledged that while there is inevitably an ‘editorial element’ in evaluating the quality of projects, it was different because the prior determination is already being made by the broadcaster.
Mr Collins also made reference to European Directives which allow foreign broadcasters to escape the same regulatory attention as national broadcasters, describing the situation as ‘perverse’ and ‘anti-competitive’.
‘They have no obligation to spend a red cent in this State,’ he added.
Regarding technology and the way it has changed content distribution, Mr Collins noted the ‘resilience of linear channels’ as more than 85% of people in Ireland still watch TV at home. Despite this, he cautioned against complacency.
‘We need to be future conscious even if we can’t be future proof,’ he added, citing the need ‘to listen, adapt and change’.
Mr Collins confirmed that the BAI’s report on funding recommendations for RTÉ & TG4 over the next five years, which was recently submitted to the Government, will form one of its ‘significant pillars’ going forward.
Further information on the BAI’s draft strategy, including details on how to submit public consultation material, is available on the BAI Future website here.
