Members of the public have a right to complain if they believe they have seen or heard something broadcast or made available on an audiovisual on-demand (“VOD”) service that does not meet standards that are set out in statute (Part 3B of the Broadcasting Act 2009) and/or in a media service code and rule. The right to make a complaint is provided at section 48(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
Coimisiún na Meán’s role in relation to complaints is to consider a complaint and decide whether to:
- refer it to be handled by the relevant broadcaster or VOD provider,
- dismiss it (in certain circumstances), or
- refer it to be considered for an investigation by a person authorised by the Commission to make such decisions.
Where the Commission does not refer a complaint to the relevant broadcaster or VOD provider or dismiss it, the Commission is required to refer the complaint to be considered for investigation. A decision to refer a complaint to be considered for investigation is not a decision that there has been a breach of statutory and/or regulatory standards in the complaint or that an investigation is warranted.
The criteria for the Commission’s decision are set out in complaints guidance under the heading ‘What criteria does the Commission apply in deciding on my complaint?’. For any questions not answered in this guidance, you can contact Coimisiún na Meán at: + 353 1 963 7755 or usersupport@cnam.ie.
Coimisiún na Meán is required to publish notice of its complaint decisions on its website. The Commission’s complaint decisions to date are listed here.