Position Paper Two - Radio
While radio communication is deemed as outdated by some, especially younger generations, it still holds great importance. "Radio is the most widely consumed audio medium on the planet" states Science Insights . Radio reaches up to 90% of the population. Perhaps in the United States radio has become a media outlet that is taken for granted. That is until disasters strike, or people within rural and isolated communities need information, or even to break down geographical barriers in education. One of Radio's greatest strengths is its convenience. There is no subscription required, no software updates, it does not require telephone service or WIFI. The United Nations recognizes radio as the unsung hero that it is. The United Nations describes radio as a "low-cost medium specifically suited to reaching remote communities and vulnerable people" and that "No other technology combines that kind of reach with that kind of resilience."
In Ireland almost 3.5 million adults tune into a radio station on an average weekday according to Radio Centre Ireland. Tuning into radio is one of Irelands most widely shared daily habits with 78% of the adult population tuning in on a daily basis. However, it is not just older generations that are tuning in to radio, it is also the younger generations. 65% of citizens between the ages of 15-34-year-olds listen to the radio daily.
Reporters Without Borders ranks Ireland number 7 for press freedom. Reporters Without Borders states that Irelands overall climate for press freedom is positive, and that journalists can work freely without fear of retribution. Recently Ireland has taken great steps in bettering their media authenticity and reform previous barriers for journalists. For example, in 2020 the abolition of blasphemy by referendum took effect. This "decriminalized the publication of 'blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter' and to abolish the offence of defamation of any religion." However, there are a few concerns. One concern being the future funding of the media. The other being journalists facing backlash on social media and that interviewing law enforcement without approval could lead to a fine or prison. This raises the question: can a country have press freedom and yet still experience media scandals public criticism and government influence.
In May 2026 there was great controversy over whether Irish broadcasters were fairly balancing coverage of political issues. Communications Minister Patrick O'Donovan complained to media regulator that RTÉ, Irelands broadest media outlet, was not fairly covering of fuel protests in April 2026. O' Donovan claimed that an RTE radio program had hosted representatives that opposed the government more than they had government representatives. These allegations were found to be just that; allegations. RTE had not violated any broadcasting rules however government officials still deemed it acceptable to criticize the outlet.
The media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, responded to O'Donovan's claims stating that while opposers may have had more time on air versus representatives that the only requirement that the media outlet needed to follow was "plurality of views in current affairs", which RTE upheld, however there is "not a strict requirement for 'equal time."
Another example of controversy within Irelands media outlets can be found in the case involving the undocumented pay of a late-night and radio program host in 2023. It was discovered that RTE did not fully disclose the amount that Ryan Tubridy was being paid. Tubridy was being paid through a commercial barter account that was not included in the public salary disclosures. This caused some wariness about how RTE managed contracts and portrayed financial information. Considering that the media outlet is publicly funded and was actively seeking public funding during this time the public was rightfully concerned about the over 300,000 euros that was being added on top of Tubridy's salary. This example illustrates a failure of a major broadcaster to uphold transparency with its audience which in turn leads to a lack in trust. Which can be a major problem when over 3.5 million people are relying on it for information.
On the opposite end of the press freedom scale is North Korea. Reporters Without Borders has ranked the country 179th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index. While Ireland has what could almost be described as a checks and balance system for government influence within their media North Korea does not.
Radio and television programs are strictly restricted by the government, and their main purpose is to reinforce the governments political messages within the public. In North Korea the internet is also extremely restricted and most outside sources are not allowed. However, in November of 2025 a Associated Press report found that some North Koreans were secretly using their radios to tune in to foreign broadcasts. This allowed them to get outside information about the world that is not being censored by their government. North Koreans had to resort to secretly, and illegally, tuning into outside radio broadcasts after foreign radio broadcasting in North Korea had declined by 85%.
Radio broadcasting in Ireland reflects the vibrant culture of the Irish people. There are morning shows that the public can listen to while sipping on their coffee in the morning or on their way to work. There is a variety of stations to tune into that provide a wide assortment of music, pop culture and news from within and abroad. And while some in government offices may try to sway the media one way or another, media outlets and the public are able to call out the influencing and there is a media regulator that plays referee. However, when describing media within North Korea, specifically radio, one could imagine that it is quite bland compared to Ireland. In North Korea your options of radio stations are government news and political speeches, patriotic music or poetry, or even motivational speeches from the government for citizens to work harder at their jobs.
In conclusion, radio is of great importance to those in both Ireland and North Korea. However, while one can rely on the radio stations to provide accurate news and information the other is illegally using radios to get information that has not been tainted by the North Korean government. And while countries who are very high on the press freedom list, like Ireland, do still face some government influence within their media it can be agreed that it cannot compare to the influence that those at the bottom of the list endure.
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