04/05/2011

BAI Publishes Right of Reply Scheme

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has now published the BAI Right of Reply Scheme.

The Scheme, which comes into effect from today, will provide for the broadcast of a Right of Reply Statement that will facilitate the correction of incorrect information which has been broadcast and which has resulted in a person’s honour or reputation being impugned. The Scheme details the process for exercising a Right of Reply and the manner in which the public can utilise this process.

The BAI has developed the Scheme further to the requirements of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 and it is intended to provide an opportunity for a person to exercise his/her right to the correction of incorrect information without recourse to legal proceedings which may prove time-consuming and costly.

A request for a Right of Reply should be made to the broadcaster and all broadcasters are required to include on their website a copy of the Scheme and information about the contact person to whom requests for a Right of Reply may be made. Decisions by a broadcaster to refuse such requests can be reviewed by the BAI’s Compliance Committee.

In welcoming the publication of the Scheme, the BAI’s Chief Executive Michael O’ Keeffe said: “A Right of Reply is about the correction of incorrect facts or information. However, the Scheme does not provide for the broadcast of an alternative or contrary opinion. In other words, a person may not be satisfied with the manner in which a broadcaster has relayed information about him/her, but a Right of Reply will not be granted unless the facts or information are factually incorrect such that their honour or reputation has been impugned.”

(BMcN/KMcA)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 April 2024
Appeal For Information On Crossmaglen Weapons Seizure
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information on a cache of weapons recovered in a search operation in Crossmaglen in October, 2023. The proactive search operation took place in the Monog Road area on 30 and 31 October 2023.
28 February 2020
Communities Have Vital Role To Play In Climate Action - Labour
Communities across Ireland have a vital role to play in addressing climate change and should be active participants in our bid to create a more energy efficient and sustainable future. Labour TD Seán Sherlock made the call in response to the publication of the Terms and Conditions for the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction.
08 August 2019
Time For Plastic Bottle Rebate Scheme Trial - FG
Fine Gael has called for a trial of a plastic bottle rebate scheme as part of Ireland's fight against climate breakdown.
19 June 2017
Damage Of Help To Buy Scheme 'Already Been Done' - SF
The damage of the help to buy scheme has already been done and can be seen in the dramatic increase in house prices, Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has said.
15 August 2016
€9m Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016 Announced
Funding of €9 million has been secured for the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, has announced.