Codes & Rules
Media Service Codes
Coimisiún na Meán is authorised to make Media Service Codes governing the standards and practices of broadcasters and providers of audiovisual on-demand media services.
The Codes may provide for standards and practices to ensure:
- that broadcasters and providers of audiovisual on-demand media services comply with requirements regarding harm, offence, incitement to hatred or violence, the authority of the State and privacy
- that broadcasters and providers of audio visual on-demand media services comply with requirements regarding News and Current Affairs
- that audiences are protected from anything harmful or unduly offensive and, in particular, that programme material relating to gratuitous violence or sexual conduct is presented
- with due sensitivity to the convictions and feelings of the audience and in such a way that
- children will not normally hear or see anything which may impair their physical, mental or moral development; and
- commercial communications will
- protect the interests of the audience and
- protect the interests of children.
Media Service Codes may also be made to:
- prohibit or restrict, commercial communications relating to foods or beverages that are the subject of public concerns in respect of the general health interests of children, including infant formula, follow-on formula or foods or beverages containing fat, trans-fatty acids, salts or sugars.
Media Service Codes may separately include standards and practices to promote:
- balanced gender representation of participants in news and current affairs programmes broadcast by broadcasters or made available by media service providers, and
- the broadcast on radio broadcasting services of music composed by or performed by women.
Coimisiún na Meán is required to have regard to the following matters in making or amending a Media Service Code:
- the degree of harm or offence likely to be caused by the inclusion of a particular matter in programme material
- the likely size and composition of the potential audience for programme material
- the likely expectation of the audience as to the nature of programme material, and the extent to which the nature of the programme material can be brought to the attention of potential members of the audience
- the likelihood of persons who are unaware of the nature of programme material being unintentionally exposed to it by their own actions
- the desirability of securing that a broadcaster or provider of an audiovisual on-demand media service informs the Commission of any change affecting the nature of the service and, in particular, of any change relevant to the application of media service codes, and
- the desirability of maintaining the independence of editorial control over programmes.
Media Service Rules
Comisiún na Meán is authorised to make Media Service Rules. We may make rules for television and radio broadcasters in relation to the broadcast of commercial communications to:
- Specify the total daily times allowed for broadcasting advertising and teleshopping
- Specify the time allowed per hour for broadcasting advertising and teleshopping
We may also make rules to require programmes, broadcast by a broadcaster and included in the catalogue of an on-demand audiovisual media service provider, to promote the understanding and enjoyment of those programmes by:
- persons who are deaf or hard of hearing,
- persons who are visually impaired,
- persons who are hard of hearing and visually impaired.
Broadcasters and Media service providers should refer to the 2009 Act for more details regarding the provisions of Part 3B.
A failure to comply with the duties imposed or with the codes and rules made under Part 3B will constitute a “contravention” for the purposes of Part 8B of the Broadcasting and Other Media Regulation Acts 2009 and 2022 and thereby may provide grounds for the imposition of an administrative financial sanction upon the relevant broadcaster or audiovisual media service provider.
Media Service Codes & Rules in force
The following Media Service Codes and Rules are in force, but apply to broadcasters only:
The follow Media Service Codes and Rules are in force and apply either to on-audiovisual on-demand media services only or to both on-demand and broadcasting services:
Our Media Service Codes and Rules will also implement the requirements of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive.
Broadcasters and providers of audiovisual on-demand media services should refer to the 2009 Act for more details regarding the provisions of Part 3B.
A failure to comply with the duties imposed or with the codes and rules made under Part 3B will constitute a “contravention” for the purposes of Part 8B of the Broadcasting and Other Media Regulation Acts 2009 and 2022 and thereby may provide grounds for the imposition of an administrative financial sanction upon the relevant broadcaster or audiovisual media service provider.