Director-General of RTE, Bob Collins, responds to the
announcement, by the Minister for Arts, Heritage,
Gaeltacht and the Islands, Síle de Valera, of the
membership and terms of reference.
The Director-General of RTÉ, Bob Collins, has issued the
following statement in response to Minister Sile de
Valera's announcement of the membership and terms of
reference of the Forum on Broadcasting.
"As Director-General of RTÉ I welcome the composition of
the Forum on Broadcasting announced by Minister de
Valera this afternoon. The terms of reference clarify
the challenging remit the Chair and members of the Forum
must address. I particularly welcome the Minister's
decision to highlight that the Forum must take regard of
the need to ensure plurality of provision, diversity of
choice and impartial and independent journalism - all in
the context of emerging technological and commercial
trends. RTÉ looks forward to contributing to, and
supporting in appropriate ways, the public debate on
broadcasting that will be generated by the Forum's
work."
The varied experiences and expertise of the members of
the Forum will ensure that the complexity of issues and
viewpoints identified in submissions to it can be
comprehensively and fairly addressed. We are confident
that the recommendations from the Forum will reflect
RTÉ's belief that Ireland, and Irish people, want and
deserve a secure public sector broadcasting service that
reflects our unique culture and tradition.
