A new radio lobby group called More Music Less Talk has launched in Ireland. More Music Less Talk describes itself as a consumer focused voluntary lobby group of music fans who are disenfranchised about the way Irish radio has failed to provide adequate music choices. More Music Less Talk says that the AM band is dead in Ireland, and has been for years, yet in most countries it thrives. The FM band, says the group, is full of talk and news. That’s because in Ireland there’s a law that requires all radio stations to broadcast 20% news and current affairs along with general speech - even music stations. More Music Less Talk says it has not found a similar law in any other country.
The group says that the Minister of Communications has the power to change the law through amendments to the 1988 or 2001 acts, and the BCI can give a derogation from this 20%, but claims they consistently refuse to do so. They are now appealing for public support to try and change the minds of the Minister and the BCI.
