EBU protests funding cut for Irish broadcaster RTÉ

In 2024, the government publicly committed to €725m in public funding for RTÉ over three years from 2025 to 2027, saying the multi-annual funding was essential for RTÉ to carry out its strategy.

In that time, the EBU noted, RTÉ entered into agreements with independent producers to invest in Irish drama, live sport, and digital services, and continued to deliver news and analysis.

The EBU said that withdrawing €20m in the final year, with those commitments already in place, “breaks the agreement and leaves RTÉ to fund commitments it made in good faith.”

It noted that the European Media Freedom Act requires member states to guarantee public service media adequate, sustainable, and predictable financial resources to fulfil their remit. “Funding that can be reopened from one budget to the next is neither predictable nor secure,” said the EBU.

The EBU also expressed disappointment that Irish broadcaster TG4's funding will not increase in 2027 and has no multi-annual settlement.

The EBU said Ireland already invests less in public service media than most of Europe: 0.07% of GDP in 2025, against an EU average of 0.14%.

The EBU conclude: “Predictable funding is not a technical detail. It protects editorial independence and lets public service media plan, invest and serve audiences with confidence.”

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