If you want your voice to be heard regarding the future direction of broadcasting in Ireland, now is the time to take action. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) launched a public consultation yesterday 27th August on its three year strategy. The full draft strategy is available from the BAI website and you can respond to the draft statement online, email or via post by the 22nd of October. The new strategy will cover 2014-2016 and in it the BAI set out its three year objectives and the manner in which they want to engage with the public and the general broadcasting sector.

The future of broadcasting in Ireland needs to focus on relevant Irish content for Irish audiences according to the BAI. Bob Collins (Chairperson of the BAI) said: “Recent years have seen enormous change in Ireland’s broadcasting sector. There has been a dramatic rise in the levels of external television content-as opposed to Irish-made content –available to audiences. There has also been a significant change in the ways people access content”.

BAI needs to be well positioned to regulate the new media era, and keep a core focus on audience in order to guide its future work. It was noted at the launch that although there has been a vast change in the way media content is now consumed, this change is fragmented demographically and traditional mediums are still strong. At the launch, Damian Loscher, Managing Director of the research company Ipsos MRBI said: “How we consume TV and radio is changing, but not at the frantic pace we have been led to believe. By and large, we remain creatures of habit in terms of where, when and what we watch and listen to.”

The BAI is keen to hear the views of young people on the future of media content viewing and listening. USI (Union of Students in Ireland) encourage our members to participate in the consultation, it is vital to take part in shaping the future of the media landscape.

ENDS

The BAI’s draft Strategy Statement – along with supporting information – is available to view now at: www.baifuture.ie.  During the consultation period, anyone wishing to make a submission on the draft statement can do so through this website, by email to info@bai.ie or by post: Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2.