JOHN BROPHY,
Sir, - In the light of the stunning silence on the future of RTÉ during this election campaign, I am instructed to inform you of the following motion, passed unanimously by journalists from Britain, Ireland and Continental Europe, at our union's recent Annual Delegate Meeting (conference):
"This ADM notes that, on November 23rd, 2001, RTE, the Irish State broadcasting service, announced they had signed contracts to join the Sky Digital platform, with effect from April 2002.
"ADM further notes that this move was directly contrary to stated policy, which discouraged links with multinational satellite broadcasters because of the effect on Irish programme-making, and implications for e-commerce.
"This ADM therefore condemns the Minister responsible, Síle de Valera, for her failure to secure the long-term future of Irish Broadcasting.
"ADM likewise condemns the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland for its abject failure to discharge its responsibilities in controlling cross-media ownership.
"ADM instructs the National Executive Council to seek redress against this move through the relevant European Community legislation, and to campaign through the International Federation of Journalists against any worsening of the stranglehold of Sky and the Murdoch empire on the media in Britain and Ireland." - Yours, etc.,
JOHN BROPHY,
Secretary,
Dublin Freelance Branch,
National Union of Journalists,
Dublin 2.