Silver jubilee for independent radio

LAST week marked the 25th anniversary of independent radio in Dublin and the event was marked with a special reception for members of today’s Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI).

After years of pirate broadcasts, the powers-that-be finally caved in and gave radio listeners in the capital what they were looking for – independent radio and a choice of quality stations.

The first independent radio presenter to broadcast on the airwaves was Scott Williams whose voice was heard on Capital Radio, later to become FM 104. Williams is now CEO with Dublin’s Q102.

It was all made possible through the 1988 Broadcasting Act, described as a seminal piece of legislation in paving the way for Ireland’s independent broadcasting sector.

Prior to the act, legal broadcasting in Ireland was limited to the state broadcaster, RTE, which enjoyed a near monopoly in radio and TV broadcasting.

In July 1989, the airwaves were opened and the first two commercial stations to go on air were Capitol Radio and Mid West Radio.

The diversity of independent broadcasting is seen in the growth of radio in Ireland with specialist pop, talk, classical, country and youth stations now broadcasting on the airwaves.

The strength of the sector is evidenced in the independent radio sector currently consisting of two national radio stations, one multicity radio station, four regional radio stations and 27 local radio stations from across Ireland.

Now up to 70 per cent of the population tune into independent radio stations on a daily basis. More than 1,500 people are employed in stations around the country and the sector is a vital economic and social contributor to the fabric of Ireland.

The reception to mark the 25th anniversary was hosted by John O’Mahony TD, Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications in Leinster House.

During the reception Deputy O’Mahony launched a new website, www.independent

radio25years.ie, which charts the history and achievements of independent radio stations across Ireland over the past 25 years.

It also contains archive materials including photographs and broadcasts that show the changing face of radio in Ireland.