EBU urges Ireland to safeguard public service media
October 9, 2026



The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has said that it “is deeply concerned” by the Irish Government’s decision to cut the agreed public funding of RTÉ by €20 million.

In 2024, the Government publicly committed to €725 million in public funding for RTÉ over 3 years (from 2025 to 2027). It said at the time that secure, multi-annual funding was essential for RTÉ to carry out its strategy. RTÉ acted on that commitment, said the EBU. It entered into agreements with independent producers and other partners, invested in Irish drama, live sport and digital services, and continued to deliver trusted, independent news and analysis. Withdrawing €20 million in the final year, with those commitments already in place, breaks the agreement and leaves RTÉ to fund commitments it made in good faith, stated the EBU.


The EBU further stated that the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) “is clear”. Article 5 requires Member States to “guarantee public service media adequate, sustainable and predictable financial resources to fulfill their remit. Funding that can be reopened from one budget to the next is neither predictable nor secure”.

“We also share TG4’s disappointment that its funding will not increase in 2027, at a time of growing audiences, and when it is creating public value and significant economic impact across the country. TG4 still has no multi-annual settlement. Without it, long-term planning and investment are limited, and independent producers face real uncertainty,” added the EBU.

Ireland already invests less in public service media than most of Europe: 0.07 per cent of GDP in 2025, against an EU average of 0.14 per cent. This decision widens that gap, explained the EBU. Predictable funding is not a technical detail. It protects editorial independence and lets public service media plan, invest and serve audiences with confidence.

“We urge the Irish Government to honour its 2025–2027 agreement with RTÉ in full, and to put multi-annual funding in place for TG4. The EBU stands with its Members RTÉ and TG4, and we would welcome the opportunity to work with the Irish authorities on a funding model that meets EMFA’s standards,” concluded the EBU.