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07th Sep 2019

RTÉ warn that their current financial situation is ‘unlike anything it has seen before’

Paul Moore

RTE pay cuts

An internal memo sent to RTÉ staff said “a crisis in the funding of public service media will continue.”

An internal note that was sent to RTÉ staff has stated that the broadcaster’s current financial situation is unlike anything it has seen before.

RTÉ have published details of the memo and it states that they’re reassessing everything they do.

Director-General Dee Forbes noted that commercial revenues and public funding are both significantly below what is needed to operate the organisation in its current form.

The report states that “RTÉ’s financial situation is not like anything it has seen before” and that “it will no longer be possible to continue as we are.”

The report adds “that while the decision by Government to tender for licence collection services was welcome, the decision to defer implementation of a revised media charge means a crisis in the funding of public service media will continue.”

An internal review is currently taking place and the details will be shared with staff as soon as it’s complete.

It is expected that these details will be made available to RTÉ staff in October.

In its published accounts for 2018, RTÉ confirmed that it had returned an operating deficit for the fourth year in a row.

The Irish state broadcaster recorded a deficit of €13 million last year.

Dee Forbes, Director-General of RTÉ, explained: “It will not be possible for RTÉ to maintain and enhance what we do and fulfil our remit without action from Government and a solution to the funding of public service media in Ireland.” 

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