- Music
- 16 Feb 05
ComReg cracks down on pirate radio stations
The Commission For Communications Regulation is putting the pressure on media outlets in an effort to prevent pirate radio stations from advertising
The Commission For Communications Regulation (ComReg) has issued a blanket warning to media that they face prosecution if they give publicity to pirate radio stations.
The Commission points out that under the terms of the 1988 Broadcasting & Wireless Telegraphy Act, it's an offence to "publish dates, times, programme schedules or advertisements" pertaining to any unlicensed broadcaster.
Reflecting on the move, a prominent radio industry source says: "After years of a turning a blind-eye to high profile pirates like Club, Premier, XFM and (the now licensed) Phantom FM, it appears that ComReg's Spectrum Compliance Section has decided to start doing its job. It's no secret that certain legal stations have been screaming at them to get the pirates off the air because, in an increasingly competitive marketplace, lost listeners means lost revenue."
In addition to the publicity blackout, ComReg has upped the number of raids it's been carrying out with Magic 105 and Energy 106 in Monaghan the latest stations to be forcibly removed from the air.
