ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the implications of reviews into the programme and their impact on the regulation of broadcasting in Ireland and how social media has been brought into the regulation framework. The aim of the high regulation of broadcast media in Ireland is to give equal time to those contesting elections. The chapter describes the debate adhered to decisions in the area in giving equal time to participants. On the night of 24 October 2011 the national Irish public service broadcaster, Raidi Teilifs ireann (RT), transmitted a debate between all candidates seeking the office of President of Ireland. The development of adding in contemporaneous commentary from Twitter was, in fact, adhering to the principles of RT in their public service statement encouraging and enabling audience contributions. This chapter focuses on the regulatory response did not forbid the use of social media as a contemporaneous means of adding, encouraging and enabling audience contributions.
