Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, has 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 about the funding, 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. 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.”
