From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, has today (7 November) welcomed the announcement by Coimisiún na Meán of the award of €2.4 million to 32 radio stations under the Broadcasting Fund Sound and Vision Scheme. The awards range from €35,000 to €95,000.
This round of Sound and Vision will focus on initiatives that empower content creators developing their skills to independently create programming. Each of the 32 radio stations will deliver one initiative, focused on skills building, promoting media literacy, and digital transformation. The initiatives will also enhance gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and build communities.
Speaking today Minister Martin said:
“Commercial radio plays a vital role in Irish society, in helping to inform public opinion and in combatting disinformation. It also plays an important part in promoting gender equality, an issue that is very important to me, and in promoting inclusion and diversity. As a former teacher, I appreciate the need for training and skills enhancement, and I am pleased to note the focus on providing content creators with the skills needed in the digital age.”
The funding round is a demonstration of Government’s commitment to the independent commercial radio sector. This is the third occasion on which Coimisiún na Meán/BAI has delivered funding rounds tailored to supporting the independent radio sector. In 2020, €2.5 million was awarded to commercial radio to promote awareness of COVID-19. In 2021, another €2.5 million was provided, prioritising the local and regional radio sectors, which had seen significant falls in advertising revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commenting on the latest round of Sound and Vision which has opened for applications, Minister Martin said:
“I also welcome the opening of Round 51 last week, focusing on content that supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, with a particular focus on integration and the voice of the new Irish communities. These two rounds are funded in part through additional funding that I provided, restating my commitment to support of the Sound and Vision scheme.”
Details of the 32 successful projects are available on the Coimisiún na Meán website.
Independent producers and broadcasters can now apply to Round 51 of the scheme. More information is available on Coimisiún na Meán’s website
The current iteration of the Scheme, Sound and Vision 4, has provided €62.2 million in supports thus far. Sound and Vision is funded from 7% of net TV Licence receipts, but it has also received significant additional Exchequer funding, totalling €22.4 million (including €2.5 million provided by Minister Ryan to co-fund the Climate Change and Climate Action round).
The next funding round will provide up to €750,000 for Community broadcasters to support Social Benefit projects and will open for applications on 3 January 2024.