Year: 2021

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has announced the allocation of €2.58m in funding for the country’s independent commercial radio stations.
The money should be used in order to promote greater awareness and understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 funding initiative was operated by the BAI under the Sound & Vision 4 Scheme at the request of, and following the provision of €2.5m in funding by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD.
This is the second such funding initiative for the independent commercial radio sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Allocations ranging from €37,500 to €100,000 have now been approved by the Authority.
The BAI says qualifying projects were €77.5k over the €2.5m allocated by the Minister. Taking into account the high standard of the projects proposed and the value of the outcomes, the Authority agreed to provide the additional funding to ensure that all projects could be fully supported.
The projects being funded cover a wide range of sources of information and educational content on the COVID-19 pandemic, including a number of initiatives in the Irish language. In this regard, over 6,500 hours of content will be broadcast relating to COVID-19 which are sourced, produced and tailored for the various target audiences. This includes adult and youth audiences across broad-format, music-driven and speech-driven services at local, regional and national levels.
Chief executive of the BAI, Michael O’Keeffe said: “The BAI is extremely grateful to Minister Martin for the provision of this funding which will serve the dual purposes of assisting the commercial radio sector through this difficult period and the researching, production and presentation of COVID-19 content specifically for their target audiences.
“Overall, the standard of applications was very high and the proposed programme content reflects the evolving situation of the pandemic across the country. In this regard, the projects now being funded demonstrate responsiveness to current societal needs, including mental health and well-being and also seek to build their sense of connection with listeners with positive messaging and support to cope and live through these difficult times.” […]

Communicorp Media has appointed James Brownlow to the role of Managing Editor of Music and Entertainment.
In his new role, James will oversee the strategy of the group’s Music and Entertainment portfolio of Today FM, 98FM, SPIN 1038 and SPIN South West and play a key part in audience growth and the development of the group’s digital services.
James will assume his role in June 2021. He joins from Bauer in the UK where he is a Content Director working on the Hits Radio Network.
James has over 20 years of experience in audio content creation, strategy and talent management in the UK, Europe and USA. He also previously held roles as content director for the Chrysalis and Global Radio groups.
Commenting on the appointment, Communicorp Media CEO Simon Myciunka said: “I am delighted to welcome someone with the wealth of experience and talent as James to this role. James is an intuitive radio programmer with a strong strategic vision and an excellent people leader.
“He will be a key member of the senior team as we adapt and grow our music and entertainment offerings on-air and online, to reflect audience demand.”
Speaking about his appointment, James Brownlow said: “I am delighted to join the group at such an exciting time and I look forward to working on such important Irish radio brands, leading the talented teams of content creators and broadcasters, and bringing innovative and relevant content to our audiences to drive digital listening and listenership ratings success.”
Bauer purchased Communicorp earlier this year, with the deal currently subject to regulatory approval. […]

Learning Waves, Skillnet Ireland & the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have launched a Journalism Graduate Programme for the Independent Radio Sector.
Ten journalism graduates will have the opportunity to be placed in one of Ireland’s Independent radio stations as part of the programme.
The ten students will receive hands-on training and development during the paid internship, which runs for a period of five months and aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to better understand traditional and new media communication sources, including radio, online and mobile platforms.
Students will be assigned a mentor who will oversee a training programme to include the fundamentals of broadcast journalism, content creation, storytelling for radio, audio production, media literacy, broadcast law, voice training, mobile journalism, leadership skills and personal development.
Teresa Hanratty, Project Manager of Learning Waves Skillnet told RadioToday.ie: “Learning Waves is delighted to be leading out with the Journalism Graduate Programme in partnership with the BAI.
“The Programme was piloted in 2019 with five students and we’re thrilled that the initiative is catering for ten students this year. Developing new talent for the radio sector is of huge importance to the future-proofing of the independent radio sector.
“Training is a key investment by stations and Learning Waves has been working closely with the sector to create new and innovative ways in the learning and development of talent. The Journalism Graduate Programme is one such initiative.”
Michael O’Keefe, CEO of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland added “The BAI is delighted to once again support the Journalism Graduate Programme which facilitates trainers, broadcasters and educators to work together to offer journalism graduates practical skills and experience.
“The development of such cross-sectoral partnerships is to be welcomed and the expansion of the programme this year to offer 10 internships reflects the success of the initiative, first operated by Learning Waves in 2019.
“The importance of reliable and accurate journalism continues to be underscored in the current media environment and this programme is an innovative example of how the broadcasting sector helps to foster journalists for its industry.
“The programme will offer journalism graduates valuable insights into the sector as well as pathways for career development and the BAI would like to wish all participating this year the best of luck.” Since 2004, Learning Waves members, along with Skillnet Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have invested €4.1 million in the learning and development of those working in the independent radio sector, while at the same time developing programmes to nurture new talent for the sector.
In 2019, Learning Waves secured a three-year funding from Skillnet Ireland to assist in growth and development of the independent radio sector.
In 2020, the Learning Waves network delivered 3199 training days in the sector and trained 532 individuals across the sector.
Teresa Hanratty points to the growing need of training and development to protect the high standard of local journalism: “There is an ever-increasing demand from the independent radio sector to deliver training and learning programmes to ensure high standards of journalism and production are delivered across each of the 34 independent radio stations. A key focus of Learning Waves is the sustainability of a vibrant, innovative and creative independent radio sector through ongoing development and upskilling of those working in the sector. Critical to this is the protection and development of local independent journalism in Ireland.”
Details of the Student Graduate Programme and the application process can be found at leaningwaves.ie .
Closing date for applications is May 21st 2021. […]