The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, has welcomed the publication of Coimisiún na Meán’s first work programme. The programme sets out a range of deliverables and milestones for the period up to 17 February 2024, when Coimisiún na Meán will also formally commence its role as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).
The deliverables include the adoption of the first online safety code by the end of this year, the implementation of priority actions set out in the Future of Media Commission Implementation Strategy and Action Plan, and the establishment of all procedures and capabilities necessary to fulfil its role as Ireland’s DSC.
Speaking today Minister Martin said:
“The enactment of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 last December laid the foundation for a new regulatory framework for online safety. Building a safer online environment for all, but in particular for children, has been one of my priorities as Minister.
I want to warmly welcome the publication of Coimisiún na Meán’s first work programme today. It sets out a clear set of milestones to create a safer online environment, including the publication of a binding online safety code by the end of the year which will address the protection of minors, hate speech and criminal offences on video-sharing platform services.
The programme will also implement a number of the priority actions set out in the Future of Media Commission Implementation Strategy and Action Plan, which I published in January this year. In particular, I welcome the commitments to publish a Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and to commence a comprehensive review of Irish language media services.
Coimisiún na Meán will have my full support in delivering this ambitious and vital work programme.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Coimisiún na Meán was formally established by Minister Martin on 15 March 2023, following the enactment of the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act 2022 in December 2022. The OSMR Act 2022 established a new regulatory framework for online safety and updated the regulatory framework for broadcasting and video-on-demand services. It also underpins the transposition of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) in Irish law.
Coimisiún na Meán will also be designated as Ireland’s Digital Services Co-ordinator through a Digital Services Bill being brought forward by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The General Scheme of the Digital Services Bill 2023 was published on 20 March 2023.
Coimisiún na Meán will also have a central role in implementing many of the actions set out in the Future of Media Commission Implementation Strategy and Action Plan, frequently in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and other relevant Government departments, as well as media and civil society stakeholders. This role includes responsibilities related to environmental sustainability measures; equality, diversity and inclusion in the sector; management of the newly established Media Fund; a comprehensive review of the provision of Irish language services; as well as the delivery of existing and additional regulatory functions.