Independent local radio stations have played a huge role during the pandemic and must be protected

That's according to Micheál Martin who says funding will be made available to stations from the Sound and Vision scheme.
Representative body Independent Broadcasters of Ireland have regularly warned that the very existence of independent radio is under threat and has called local journalism to be protected.
They have called for a strategy to be implemented to allow it to fulfil its public sector mandate.
The sector was rocked by pay cuts and layoffs caused by a fall in advertising revenue at the start of the pandemic.
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's RedFM, the Taoiseach responds to Neil's suggestion that without immediate support news and current affairs could disappear from local radio:
"We will [still have local radio news and current affairs]. And I think you've [Neil] been very successful, your station [RedFM] has been successful, other stations have been successful in Cork and elsewhere. Our objective is to have as pluralistic a media provision as possible, as diverse a media provision as possible. In other words we want local media to survive and we want to get proposals that would ensure that local radio survives."
More from Cork
-
Lord Mayor Of City Felt Privileged To Represent Cork During Such A Difficult Time As He Faces Into Last Month In Office
Councillor Joe Kavanagh will be handing over the mayoral chains outside of City Hall for the first time ever on June 18th due to the pandemic
-
Expert calls for people to reduce meat intake
Eating too much meat can increase the risk of serious illnesses by as much as 30%.
-
International Care Day Is Being Celebrated At The Bessborough Centre In Blackrock Today
The event highlights the positive impact of the experience of young people in care
-
UPDATE: Teenage Girl Killed And Three Teenage Boys Injured In Knocknaheeny Crash
It's understood the teenage driver of the car fled the scene on foot
-
Angry Farmers To Stage Protest Outside Aldi in Mitchelstown Later
They're appealing to retailers to come to the talks table
-
UPDATE: Toddler Who Was Injured At Her Home On The Boreenmanna Road Has Died
The two year-old was rushed to hospital with traumatic head injuries