Code of Practice

WLCR FM Ltd aims to deliver the best possible to our listeners and community – this includes being compliant with relevant legislation that governs our activities.

Section 47 of the broadcasting Act 2009 as amended by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 requires that all broadcasters within the jurisdiction of the state prepare and follow a Code of Practice for dealing with certain types of complaints from the public. Your attention is drawn to the first that general feedback and not all types of complaints are covered by this document.

This document is the Code of Practice on Dealing with Complaints under section 47 of the 2009 Broadcasting Act as amended by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 WLCR FM Ltd.

This document covers:

1. Code of Practice.
2. What you can complain about under Section 47 of the 2009 Broadcasting Act as amended by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022.
3. Complaints Table.
4. How you make a complaint either informally or formally.

Informal complaint
Formal complaint

4. How soon after a broadcast you can make a complaint.
5. Who and where to send your complaint to.
6. What happens to your complaint.

Informal complaint
Formal complaint

7. What the possible outcomes of your complaint are.
8. The role of Coimisiún na Meán.

1. Code of Practice

• Was written and agreed using the guidelines from the Coimisiún na Meán and after consultation with WLCR FM Ltd staff and management.
• Will be reviewed at a minimum of one Board meeting per year with the Board making the necessary changes based on issues or relevant legislation. Both the annual reviews and any amendments will be recorded and the Code of Practice update if necessary. The Board welcomes and will consider all feedback on this Code of Practice. Any changes to this Code of Practice will be communicated to Coimisiún na Meán for approval.
• Is available on our website page upon request by a member of the public.
• Is available from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland website.

2. What you can complain about under Section 47 of the 2009 Broadcasting Act as amended by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022

• You can send in a complaint if you think that a broadcast or part of broadcast on out radio does not comply with our obligations set in the table below
• Complaints about alleged defamation are dealt with under the CNAM Right to Reply Scheme ( see cnam.ie )
• Any other complaints, concerns or other feedback can be made on the standard complaint form that is at the bottom of this webpage (in line with our standard complaints process).

     I. Complaints Table

3. How you make a complaint either informally or formally

Informal complaint:

1. You can contact West Limerick 102FM in person or by phone and have your concerns heard and addressed in an informal manner to your satisfaction.

Formal complaint:

1. You can contact the Complaints Committee by phone, email or letter and tell us your complaint.
2. A member of the Complaints Committee will contact you to talk about what concerned you and attempt to resolve the matter to your satisfaction.
3. If we cannot resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, and you are sure that your complaint is covered by this Code of Practice, please put the following information in writing (letter, fax):
   
   1. Your name and address.
   2. The type of complaint/s (See table above).
   3. The date and time of broadcast.
   4. The name of the programme, news item, or advertisement/commercial communication that you have heard and which is the subject of your complaint.
   5. Exact details of what in the broadcast concerned you.
   1. If you wish, you can use the Complaint Form at the bottom of this webpage.
   2. If, by reason of disability or other good reason, you are unable to make a complaint in writing, please contact us and we will assist.
   3. We will not accept complaints which we deem to be of a frivolous or vexatious nature.

• WLCR FM Ltd is committed to protecting the right and privacy of individuals in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988-2003.

4. How soon after a broadcast you can make a complaint

• The Broadcasting Act 2009 as amended by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 requires that you make your complaint not more than 30 days after the date of the broadcast you have concerns about.
• If your complaint relates to one broadcast: 30 days after the date of that broadcast.
• If your complaint relates to two or more unrelated broadcasts: 30 days after the date of the earlier or earliest of those broadcasts.
• If your complaint relates to two or more related broadcasts of which at least two are made on different dates: 30 days after the date of the latter or latest of those broadcasts.

5. Who and where to send your complaint to

Complaints Committee, c/o Chairperson,
West Limerick Community Radio,
WLCR FM Ltd,
Unit 5, Shannon Development Enterprise Centre,
Sheehan’s Road, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
V92 T048

Phone: 069 66200
Email: reception102@gmail.com

6. What happens to your complaint

Informal complaint

1. If you contact us informally, we will aim to resolve the issue/s as soon as possible if all parties agree to how this may be done.

Formal complaint

1. Once we receive your complaint we will work to resolve the issue/s as soon as possible with the relevant people in the station.
2. We will write to acknowledge receipt of your formal complaint within 7 working days.
3. We will consider the issue raised in your complaint.
4. Where appropriate, presenter or programme – maker to give that party an opportunity to previse observations or comments about the issue you have raised.
5. We will provide a written response to your complaint that will as far as possible address all of the concerns/issues you have raised. We will set out the reasons for our decision on your complaint.
6. This response will be sent to your within 30 days from receipt of your complaint.

7. What the possible outcomes of your complaint are

• We may uphold the complaint and will therefore aim to resolve it to your satisfaction in an agreed manner – this may include an apology, correction, clarification and/or offer a rebuttal.
• We may reject the complaint. This means we believe that our programming was in compliance with our obligations.

8. The role of Coimisiún na Meán

1. If we have not responded to your complaint within 30 days or if you are not satisfied with our response, you can refer your complaint to Coimisiún na Meán.
2. Coimisiún na Meán Committee will consider your complaint and may carry our an independent review of the complaint and our response.
3. Information on how to refer a complaint to the Coimisiún na Meán is available on their website at cnam.ie or from the following address:

Complaints Officer,
Coimisiún na Meán,
1 Shelbourne Buildings,
Shelbourne Road,
Dublin 4,
D04 NP20,
Ireland

Further queries concerning your complaint referrals may also be directed to the user support centres telephone: (01) 963 7755.

Further information concerning Coimisiún na Meán’s role in broadcast regulation can be found on their website: www.cnam.ie/broadcasting

Complaints email: complaints@cnam.ie