Radio closure ‘a disgrace’
THERE WAS shock and anger among staff at Independent Network News in Dublin when they first heard about plans to close the company through media reports.
The board of INN has said that it intends to wind up the company, which supplies national and international news to local radio stations in Ireland.
News of the closure was broadcast at lunchtime and published on websites before staff were informed by management. Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley said the announcement had been handled in a disgraceful manner. “The journalists learned that they would lose their jobs through media outlets and that is simply unacceptable.
“INN staff have made huge sacrifices over the years and are paid well below the market rate for national journalists. They have tolerated a pay freeze and the non-replacement of staff and their efforts are rewarded by this cavalier treatment.”
INN provides a comprehensive national news service to the independent commercial radio sector. The union fears that the proposed closure would have serious implications for media diversity and competition in the commercial radio sector. INN is the only agency helping local radio stations to meet their statutory news obligations.
The 17-strong NUJ chapel at INN balloted for industrial action to force bosses to reconsider the closure. They were offered only the minimum payment allowed under Ireland’s redundancy laws.
The union has urged Irish Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan to investigate the way the INN board has set about dismantling the widely respected service.
The NUJ chapel is demanding that INN withdraw the redundancy threat and takes part in negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission.
Supporters have set up a Facebook group: I support INN journalists
There was a well-supported lunchtime protest outside the office of INN on the day the board of the company was to meet to discuss its winding up. Leading Irish journalists joined the chapel and supporters as the company board held a meeting to discuss the agency’s future.