The collapse in TV licence revenue is threatening the future of independent production companies and their associated jobs, according to Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne.
He is calling for urgent action to protect workers in local and community media, and the film, TV and radio production sector whose roles are funded through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which received a ring-fenced portion of the licence fee.
Senator Kyne says the collapse in the TV Licence revenue is not just a problem for RTÉ, but threatens a vital source of funding for independent tv, radio and film production companies and all of the workers involved, including actors, writers, producers, directors and many more.
“Since the Broadcasting Act of 2009, the Sound and Vision Scheme has, through a ringfenced portion of the TV Licence Fee, supported the creation of content for TV, film and radio that otherwise would not have been made.
“There have been 49 rounds of funding under the scheme to date, with the most recent rounds supporting more than 100 projects produced by local and community radio stations, as well as for larger media companies, such as TG4 and Newstalk."
He says the scheme is directly linked to the TV Licence as the legislation provides that seven per cent of the money collected through the Licence Fee goes into the fund.
"Therefore, as the funding collected via the TV Licence Fee falls, so too does the amount of money available for the Sound and Vision Scheme."
He says the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin needs to take action now to avoid a collapse in funding and to "protect jobs in local and community media and the film, TV and radio production sector that are now under serious threat."
