A PYMNTS Company

Ireland: Radio station claims public broadcaster is anticompetitive

By  |  August 13, 2014

Irish radio station Newstalk has reportedly filed a complaint with the European Commission against public service broadcaster RTE accusing it of anticompetitive behavior.

According to reports, Newstalk and RTE had quarreled earlier this year after RTE refused to run an advertisement for its rival. Following RTE’s decision, Newstalk immediately filed a competition complaint.

With the additional complaint, reports say Newstalk is mounting the pressure on RTE.

”RTE, in our view, is using license fee money to subsidize their commercial activities, which is discriminating against us,” Newstalk chief executive Gerard Whelan told reporters. RTE said it is in full compliance with Ireland’s 2009 broadcasting act and declined to comment further on the matter.

Full content: The Guardian

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.