Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley speaking outside Leinster House this morning
This morning.
Fianna Fáil’s communications spokesperson Timmy Dooley proposed the establishment of a Print Journalism Unit.
In a press release, he said:
“Quality journalism, the bedrock upon which people are informed in order to make decisions for themselves is currently jeopardised by a significant downturn in revenues for news publishers in Ireland. The figures are stark. National newspaper circulation is down 50% over the past 10 years, and down 35% for local newspapers.
“Fianna Fáil is proposing to expand the role of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and to establish a Print Journalism Unit. Its remit would be to deliver innovative schemes to support the work of print journalists at both national and local level. The unit will also disperse grant aid to support newspaper publishers in providing public service content.
“… Newspaper journalists research and fact check – this costs money. Those reusing their work must pay for that, otherwise we risk seeing newspapers go bust.
“The work of the Print Journalism Unit could be funded in two ways; by ring fencing current Exchequer VAT receipts from newspaper sales, c. €27 million or a new 6% digital advertising levy. Based on 2018 sales, it would realise c. €30 million per annum.”
FF proposes State intervention to secure future of quality journalism – Dooley (Fianna Fail)
Pic: Gavan Reilly