Dublin City FM

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Code of Practice

Code of Practice on Complaints Handling

Introduction

At Dublin City FM, we aim to provide the best in community radio broadcasting. We also set out to ensure that our programming is compliant with the requirements set out in the Broadcasting Act, 2009, broadcasting codes published by Coimisiún na Meán (formerly The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) and matters affecting broadcasters arising from the commencement of various provisions of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 (“the OSMR Act”).

We welcome all feedback, positive and negative, from our listeners and will engage constructively with such. You can contact us by phone at 01 8658020, email admin@dublincityfm.ie, or by writing to:

The Station Manager,
Dublin City FM,
Kreston House, Block B,
Arran Court,
Arran Street West,
Dublin 7.
D07 K271

1. What can I complain about?

You may submit a complaint to us if you are of the opinion that a broadcast or part of a broadcast on Dublin City FM has breached one or more of the following obligations range of matters and relevant sections of the legislation:

  • Harm, offence, incitement, and authority of State (section 46J)
  • Privacy (section 46K)
  • News and Current Affairs (section 46L)
  • Advertising (sections 46M(2) or (3), 106(3) and 127(6))
  • Retention of copies of programme material (section 46P(1) or (2))
  • Media service codes and rules

 

2. How do I make a complaint?

You can contact us using the details above and we will happily try to resolve any concerns you may have.  If we cannot resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you can then process your complaint as follows using this Code of Practice.

The following information must be included in any correspondence with us: your name and address; the category of complaint; (please refer to the categories of complaints in ‘What I can complain about?’ above) the date and time of broadcast; the name of the programme, news item or advertisement/commercial communication that you have heard and which is the subject of your complaint; detail exactly what, in the broadcast, concerned you.

You can submit your complaint to the address above or briancommins@dublincityfm.ie.

Formal complaints must be made within 30 days of broadcast. Complaints submitted outside of these time periods cannot be considered.
(a) if your complaint relates to one broadcast, 30 days after the date of that broadcast;
(b) if your complaint relates to two or more unrelated broadcasts; 30 days after the date of the earlier or earliest of those broadcasts;
(c) if your complaints relates to two or more related broadcasts of which at least two are made on different dates; 30 days after the date of the later or latest of those broadcasts.

We will not accept complaints which we deem to be of a frivolous or vexatious nature nor will we accept anonymous complaints.

3. What will happen to my complaint?

Once we have received your complaint we will work to resolve the issue/s as soon as possible.

  • We will write to you to acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 7 working days.
  • Your complaint will be carefully considered, investigated if necessary, and responded to in writing by our Station Manager or a senior member of our management team.
  • We will consider the issues raised in your complaint.
  • We will listen to the programme/broadcast item identified in your complaint.
  • Where appropriate, we will consult with any party to which your complaint relates, for example, the advertiser, the presenter or programme maker, to give that party an opportunity to provide observations and comments in relation to the issues raised by you.
  • We will provide a response to your complaint which will, as far as possible, address all of the issues/concerns you have raised.
  • We will set out the reasons for our decision on your complaint.
  • This response will be sent to you within 20 days from receipt of your complaint.

If the Complainant is unsatisfied with how the complaint has been handled or they are unsatisfied with the solution the Station Manager may refer the complaint to the Committee of Management. They should contact the Secretary in writing within 20 days of the date of the formal response from the Project Coordinator.

The appeal will be acknowledged by mail, email or telephone within 7 days of receipt and a written response will be provided by mail or email within 20 days of receipt.

Complaint Referrals

Complaints may be referred to Coimisiún na Meán if the complainant is not satisfied with the response provided by the broadcaster or if no response is provided within the timeframe of 20 working days as set out in the Code of Practice for Complaints Handling. Complainants should also be informed that they then have 14 days to refer their complaint to Coimisiún na Meán.

For now, complainants can refer complaints to Coimisiún na Meán using the existing online portal at https://bai.service-now.com/complaints or they can contact complaints@cnam.ie or (01) 6441 200 or write to: 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin D02 XP29.

We are required under the Broadcasting Act, 2009 to keep a record of all complaints submitted in accordance with this Code of Practice for two years. We are also obliged to provide these records to the Compliance Committee of Coimisiún na Meán if the Committee so directs. Our records will include copies of your complaint, our response and the audio copies of the broadcast material.