Both RTÉ and TV3 have received legal advice that under the terms of the Broadcasting Act they cannot air advertisements for the "Power to Change" campaign, due to begin on Monday. The all-island campaign, which also involves billboard posters and cinema, is endorsed by the four main Church leaders and plans to draw attention to Christ.
Last June the campaign committee approached RTÉ about the advertisements. Discussions on the wording took place and agreement was reached by the end of August. However, executives at RTÉ remained anxious and sought external legal advice. Last Thursday the broadcaster was informed the wording was in breach of Section 65 of the Act. It allows notice, only, of a religious event or of a religious newspaper,magazine, or periodical. It does not allow "persuasion".
The Power to Change committee was told of this advice last Friday. Lengthy discussions took place between both sides without reaching agreement. RTÉ offered facilities for a recording of new advertisements, and this was rejected. The Power to Change committee said its legal advice was that the wording was within the terms of the Act and further argued that as they had already paid RTÉ it was under contract to broadcast the advertisements.
However, sources indicated last night that RTÉ had not yet accepted the €110,000 fee involved from the Belfast-based Fire/IMC agency, which has acted for Power to Change. Mr Basil Good, chairman of the Republic Power to Change committee, said yesterday he was horrified that RTÉ Television has decided "to go back on it's decision to air" the advertisements.
"Full agreement had been reached with RTÉ and as far as we are concerned a contract exists with them," he said. "We are shocked" and "feel we have no option but to proceed with legal action." A hearing is scheduled for next Monday.
