Oireachtas committee hears independent broadcasters need slice of licence fee to survive

KCLR boss and Independent Broadcasters of Ireland Chairperson, John Purcell, has appeared before an Oireachtas Committee on Communications.

He says that Independent broadcasters have reached a tipping point and an appalling vista of the erosion of local media.

The committee heard that independent broadcasters need a slice of the licence fee if they are to survive.

The IBI says if the 15% evasion rate was tackled it could bring in an extra €50-60 million to be shared among broadcasters.

The IBI Chairman says otherwise broadcasters will not be able to continue providing local content.