Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has written to the director of BBC Northern Ireland today urging him to clarify reporting over the weekend that the organisation is considering geoblocking news content.
Mr Eastwood, who has previously raised the geoblocking of news content with the Director General of RTÉ, said that narrowing the media landscape in Ireland by restricting news and current affairs content would not serve audiences or the public interest.
He said: “Geoblocking content between the North and South does not serve audiences across this island and runs contrary to the public interest.
“We live shared lives in a complex place – narrowing the media landscape that helps people understand, engage in and inform themselves about current affairs and political debate can only be a bad thing.
“I understand that the BBC is entering a period of reflection following last week’s court ruling. But any reaction which seeks to erect new barriers between the lives of people who share this island would be a fundamental mistake.
“I have written to the Director of BBC Northern Ireland outlining my strong views and seeking confirmation that the BBC does not intend to pursue any form of additional geoblocking.”
