Can religions et up their own TV channels?

11-05-2022 6:36pm #1

Hi

I know religious and political advertising is not allowed in democratic countries. I was wondering would it be legal if say the Catholic Church set up their own TV channel or even news channel to get around these restrictions? Would this be legal?

thanks

Manach · 11-05-2022 7:04pm

As someone who, pardon the pun, religiously watches EWTN daily on sateillite and as well given the diverse range of other religious channels present there are plenty of non-secular stations with adverts present on the digial airwaves.

Jim_Hodge · 11-05-2022 7:13pm

They are loads of religious TV channels already.

TooTired123 · 11-05-2022 10:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058245455/can-religions-et-up-their-own-tv-channels

There are numerous religious tv channels.

cml387 · 12-05-2022 8:25am

EWTN has a Catholic ethos (and some) but is not actually run by the Catholic church.

I suppose Vatican Radio would be the closest (do they have a TV channel?)

Thinkingaboutit · 12-05-2022 8:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119049830#Comment_119049830

Mother Angelica suffered a great deal of trouble from bishops. The local bishop preemptively banned any attempt to say the traditional Mass and EWTN's efforts to teach people the Faith, rather than soft social socialism or, as now, Open Borders propaganda (which connects to a notable income stream etc.), did not make them happy.

Vatican Media is the TV operation. Usually religious events at least, but relentless mass migration propaganda now. Most is on its YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K88pcE2Nai0

Mrs OBumble · 12-05-2022 9:10am

Sure we can access overseas stuff.

But focussing on the laws in Ireland - can people do it here? Is Spirit Radio legal?

lertsnim · 12-05-2022 9:28am

Spirit Radio is legal.

ohnonotgmail · 12-05-2022 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119050029#Comment_119050029

not only legal but encouraged. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland put out an expression of interest for a religious radio station. Spirit were the only ones to apply.

bladespin · 12-05-2022 10:54am

"I know religious and political advertising is not allowed in democratic countries."

Since when? Party political broadcasts on behalf of pretty much anyone who wants to, the angelus, morning worship et etc

coylemj · 12-05-2022 12:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119050540#Comment_119050540

OP is specifically referencing advertising. Which I take to mean paid slots on various media. Though the reference to 'democratic countries' suggests that he hasn't had much exposure to American TV.

Even the squeaky clean BBC has religious (more like pseudo-religious these days) programmes and party political broadcasts.

L1011 · 12-05-2022 12:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119050480#Comment_119050480

There were no other applications for renewal, but there were multiple for the licence originally (in 2006 - took them an age to get on air). Two of the other four applicants are now on Saorview - Radio Maria and UCB Ireland.

There's also a religious location station in Cork, Life.

icdg · 12-05-2022 1:49pm

Just to say OP that the licensing process for television channels in this jurisdiction is probably one of the most onerous in Europe. The last broadcaster to successfully attempt it was UTV Ireland way back in 2014. It’s not easy to get a license (or rather, a broadcasting contract) here.

Most of the hundreds of TV channels available here, other than RTE, Virgin Media TV, TG4, and Premier Sports, are licensed elsewhere in the EU where licenses are in most countries granted on demand provided certain requirements are met. The U.K. was the most regular jurisdiction up until Brexit but now it has shifted elsewhere obviously and even U.K. channels have to get an EU license to broadcast here (thanks EU Audiovisual Directive). The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the various German jurisdictions are favourites.

17-05-2022 11:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119050540#Comment_119050540

Since Murphy v Ireland

https://globalfreedomofexpression.columbia.edu/cases/murphy-v-ireland/

RoTelly · 17-05-2022 11:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058245455/can-religions-et-up-their-own-tv-channels

Yes, if the regulator allows them to do so. In our case the BAI has 3 religious services under their remit, Sprit FM, Radio Maria Ireland and UBC Ireland.

Technically anyone can setup their own Radio or TV services as long as they keep to codes of the regulator.

bladespin · 17-05-2022 12:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119074934#Comment_119074934

Depends on how you interpret it and what you consider advertising I suppose, very easy to get around it anyway.

Can religions et up their own TV channels?

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