Independent Broadcasters Welcome Budget 2026 Funding For News And Current Affairs.

The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) has warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, of continued and vital funding next year for news and current affairs in the independent radio sector.

Minister O’Donovan is allocating €3 million of ringfenced funding as part of Budget 2026 for news and current affairs content provided by local, regional, multi-city and national radio stations in the independent sector throughout Ireland.

John Purcell, Chair of IBI, commented:  “We are very grateful to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport and his Department officials for the funding in the Budget for our sector, which recognises the essential news and current affairs services provided to listeners all over Ireland and the unique regulatory obligations of our stations.  We know that the Minister really understands the value of the choice and connection provided by trusted independent radio stations all over Ireland.”

Michael Kelly, Chief Executive of IBI added:  “The ringfenced support announced today is very welcome and will be put to good use, and we sincerely thank Minister O’Donovan and the officials in the Department for securing it.  This is meaningful and Minister O’Donovan deserves a lot of credit.  Our journalists, presenters, producers and editors perform work which is vital for democracy, for informed citizens, and for social cohesion.  Our sector is key bulwark against misinformation and disinformation so this is an important announcement.  We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, and to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers.”

Following the Budget announcements, there will also be €1 million from the Minister’s Department in additional funding next year for the media, to support digital transformation, and €1.4 million of additional funding next year for the Sound and Vision Scheme, which provides funding to independent broadcasters and producers to enable the creation of high-quality, accessible programming.  The Government’s Counter-Disinformation Strategy will receive €1.1 million and that will be of significant assistance to the media in this vital area.  Funding will also continue for the Local Democracy and Court Reporting Schemes. The funding announced will be through Coimisiún na Meán. 

IBI represents local, regional, multi-city and national radio stations across Ireland who provide high quality news and current affairs coverage daily to over 2.5 million listeners.