BROADCASTING: AID APPROVED FOR NORTHERN IRISH LANGUAGE BROADCAST FUND.

• Position: Brief Article

The Good Friday Agreement contained a commitment to "seek more effective ways to encourage and provide financial support for Irish-language film and television production in Northern Ireland" as a means of bridging the gap between communities there and thereby helping to promote peace. But it was not until April 2003 that the British government announced the creation of the film and TV production fund that would help achieve this aim.

The fund will be used primarily by independent audiovisual production companies, although in some exceptional cases it may also be used by established broadcasters.

To qualify for funding, a minimum of 60% of the spoken word within the production must be in Irish, and every production must be subtitled in English. The product must also be of "artistic quality" and should be...