Coimisiún na Meán

Category: Consultations

Coimisiún na Meán opens public consultation on draft Strategy Statement

Posted on by Aoife Molloy

Coimisiún na Meán has today (6 November 2024) opened a public consultation on its first Strategy Statement. The draft Strategy sets out Coimisiún na Meán’s vision, mission and strategic outcomes, alongside delivery tools and strategic enablers.

Section 29 (1) of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, 2022 (OSMRA), provides that Coimisiún na Meán shall prepare a three-year Strategy Statement as soon as possible after establishment.

The consultation is open until 5pm on the 4th of December 2024.

Further information is available in the Consultation Document.

Coimisiún na Meán launch consultation on revised Broadcasting Codes and Rules

Posted on by Aoife Molloy

Updates to Broadcasting Codes and Rules required to meet Ireland’s obligations under the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD)

Coimisiún na Meán has today (04.09.2024) launched a consultation on revised Broadcasting Codes and Rules for radio and television broadcasters. The Codes and Rules are required to be updated to comply with the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).

The AVMSD provides for minimum standards and obligations that media service providers must adhere to in a variety of areas, including child safety, the accessibility of their services, and the prohibition of content that incites hatred.

Aoife MacEvilly, Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán said: “Ensuring that the Codes and Rules which apply to broadcasters in Ireland are kept up to date with EU regulations is crucial in guaranteeing a thriving and safe media landscape for Irish audiences. Coimisiún na Meán has today opened a consultation on revised Codes and Rules which contain updated obligations for Irish broadcasters and which recognise a new complaints procedure for members of the public where they believe that a broadcaster has failed to comply with a Code or Rule. In the future, An Coimisiún intends to conduct a further review of our Codes and Rules to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of Irish audiences, and our changing media landscape.’’

The revised Broadcasting Codes and Rules which are being consulted on are:

  • Short News Reporting Code (draft) – which allows for short news extracts of events broadcast that are of interest to the public to be used by other broadcasters for the purposes of news reporting.

The consultation will run from 4th September 2024 until the 3rd of October 2024 and the consultation document can be found on our website.

Coimisiún na Meán seeks views on future of broadcast moratorium for elections and referendums

Posted on by Maeve Heslin

Public consultation sets out possible options for future of moratorium

Coimisiún na Meán has today (07.08.24) opened a public consultation on the future of the broadcast moratorium. The moratorium currently prohibits discussion of election or referendum issues on broadcast media from 2pm on the day preceding the election or referendum until the polls close on voting day.

The moratorium does not apply to other types of media, such as print or online, and the legislation does not allow for these types of media to be included in any moratorium.

Coimisiún na Meán is putting forward five main options for consideration:

  1. Keeping the moratorium as it is
  2. Amending the duration of the moratorium
  3. Changing the types of broadcast coverage included under the moratorium
  4. Reframing the obligation on broadcasters as a positive obligation to exercise particular care on issues related to elections or referendums
  5. Abolishing the moratorium entirely.

This public consultation is part of Coimisiún na Meán’s on-going review of the broadcast moratorium, which has included engagement with broadcasters and political parties, as well as public opinion research. An Coimisiún intends to conclude the review, including making any changes required to the moratorium, by the end of October 2024.

The moratorium was first included in broadcasting guidelines for the 1997 Presidential Election, a time when TV and radio were the main sources of news. Its original purposes were to allow voters a period of reflection before casting their votes, and to guard against voters being presented with new information or misinformation at the last minute when it was too late for it to be properly evaluated or discussed. With the growth in usage of online sources of news, there needs to be a re-evaluation of whether the moratorium is useful.

Coimisiún na Meán Broadcasting and Video-On-Demand Commissioner, Aoife MacEvilly, said: “Now is the right time to consider if changes are needed to the broadcasting moratorium for coverage of referendums and elections. Wherever people find their news, it is important that they can find relevant, informed, and impartial reporting that they trust. We know that more and more people are going online for their news, whether that’s to a news website or to social media, but, broadcasters are still an important source of news about elections for many people.

We are looking forward to hearing the public’s views on the moratorium and we intend to make a decision on continuing, changing or removing the moratorium by the end of October”.

The public consultation is now open. The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 4 September 2024.

Extended Deadline – Consultation on draft Code and Rules for Video On Demand Services

Posted on by Aoife Molloy

On the 4th July 2024, Coimisiún na Meán published a consultation document on its draft Code and Rules for Video On Demand services.

Following consideration of a request to extend the deadline, the Commission has agreed a new deadline submission of Tuesday, 20th of August 2024. The consultation document may be found on our website.

Coimisiún na Meán launch consultation on revised Rules to improve Accessibility of Television Broadcasters

Posted on by Aoife Molloy

Draft Access Rules contain binding targets for Irish Sign Language, Subtitling and Audio Description services

Coimisiún na Meán has today (18.07.2024) launched a public consultation on draft Access Rules for Television Broadcasters. The revised Rules contain updated binding targets for Irish Sign Language, Subtitling and Audio Description services and are aimed at improving the accessibility of programming for people with disabilities. Once finalised, the Access Rules will apply to television broadcasters based in Ireland.

Included in the draft Access Rules for consultation are best-practice Standards which require broadcasters to ensure that Irish Sign Language, Subtitling and Audio Description services are produced to a high quality.

Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán said: “Ensuring that Ireland’s media landscape meets the highest standards of accessibility is a key priority for Coimisiún na Meán. Once finalised, the revised Access Rules for Television Broadcasters will set updated binding targets for the accessibility of services and will provide Standards for broadcasters to achieve in making sure that their programming is accessible. Coimisiún na Meán is dedicated to enriching Ireland’s media landscape, including guaranteeing that programming is developed to be inclusive and accessible to every member of the audience.’’

The draft Access Rules also provide for members of the public to complain to Coimisiún na Meán about any potential non-compliance by broadcasters with the Rules. The public consultation will run from 18 July to 19 August.

As part of the consultations, Coimisiún na Meán will facilitate meetings with Disabled Persons Representative Organisations (DPROs), individuals who use Subtitling, Irish Sign Language and Audio Description services and other organisations representing the interests of access users. This approach will ensure that those who will benefit most from the Access Rules and their representatives are consulted with in advance of the Rules being finalised.

• Draft Access Rules for Television Broadcasters (Word)
• Draft Access Rules for Television Broadcasters (PDF)
• Draft Access Rules for Television (ISL)
• Public Consultation on Access Rules (Word)
• Public Consultation on Access Rules (PDF)
• Public Consultation on Access Rules (ISL)
• Public Consultation on Access Rules Form (Word)


Coimisiún na Meán publishes new draft Code and Rules for Video On-Demand services

Posted on by Deborah Molloy

After consultation period, finalised rules will see Video-On-Demand services regulated for the first time

***Extended deadline – the Commission has agreed a new deadline submission of Tuesday, 20th of August 2024***

Coimisiún na Meán has today (04.07.24) published a new draft Audiovisual On-Demand Media (Video-on-demand) Service Code and new draft Rules.

Once finalised, Coimisiún na Meán will apply the Code and Rules to Video-on-demand service providers with their EU Headquarters in Ireland.

The draft Code introduces obligations on Video-on-demand service providers to restrict some content from their catalogues, including:

  • Anything which may reasonably be regarded as public provocation to commit a terrorist offence
  • Anything which may reasonably be regarded as likely to incite violence or hatred against a group, or a member of a group based on their characteristics including sex, race, colour, disability, sexual orientation of membership of a national minority

Providers will also be required to take steps to protect children from content which may impair their physical, mental or moral development, this can include:

  • Providing on-screen warnings at the beginning of programmes for content which may be harmful to children
  • Taking appropriate measures to ensure that content containing pornography or gratuitous violence will not be shown to children
  • Provide for parental controls and age assurance to protect children from seeing harmful content

The draft Rules introduces obligations on Video-on-demand service providers to progressively make their programming accessible to people with disabilities.

Coimisiún na Meán Media Development Commissioner, Rónán Ó Domhnaill, said: “Once finalised, our new Code and Rules will for the first time allow for the statutory regulation of Video on-demand service providers based in Ireland. The Code will help efforts to ensure that people across Ireland can watch entertaining, informative and engaging programming on-demand, while ensuring that children do not access age-inappropriate programming. The Rules will ensure that every step is taken to ensure that programmes are accessible for people with disabilities and will oblige every audiovisual on-demand media service provider based in Ireland to establish an Accessibility Action Plan.”

“The Code and Rules are also a key step for the transposition of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive in Ireland.”

The draft Audiovisual On-Demand Media (Video-on-demand) Service Code and Rules are currently open for public consultation. The closing date for submissions is Tuesday the 6th August 2024.

ENDS

Consultation Documents

Extended Deadline – Consultation on Draft Journalism Schemes

Posted on by Deborah Molloy

On the 4th April 2024, Coimisiún na Meán published a consultation document seeking views on two new journalism schemes.

Following requests from industry organisations, An Coimisiún has agreed to extend the deadline for responses to the consultation. The new closing date for the receipt of submissions is now 8th May at 5pm.

You can make your submission here:

Two journalism schemes worth €5 million open for consultation

Posted on by Deborah Molloy

Local Democracy and Court Reporting Schemes will support both the media sector and high-quality journalism in all counties in Ireland

Coimisiún na Meán is seeking the public’s views on two new journalism schemes which aim to supplement and increase coverage of local authorities and district court hearings. The schemes are being established to ensure that all people have access to news in their own areas and that the news they receive is trustworthy and accurate.  

The Schemes are based on recommendations from the Report of the Future of Media Commission and are being established on an administrative basis thanks to funding secured by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, Catherine Martin TD.

The new journalism schemes will be open to applications from journalists and media outlets, including broadcast, print and online platforms, in both the Irish and English languages. Coimisiún na Meán will ensure that all content funded under the Schemes is available in both Irish and English on an online portal, where the content will also be archived. 

Commenting on the launch of the consultation on the proposed schemes, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “The €5 million available under these Schemes will ensure that local media can continue to perform its vital role in reporting on matters of public interest and improving access to trusted, quality information. They will support the creation of high-quality public interest journalism in both Irish and English, strengthening plurality, supporting the resilience of the news media sectors and enabling free and open debate on matters of public interest and importance as well as participation in democratic society by informed citizens. I would like to thank Minister Catherine Martin for her support for these Schemes.”

Coimisiún na Meán is now inviting views on the proposed approach to both Schemes as part of a public consultation process. Information on the consultation processes can be found here:

Coimisiún na Meán will finalise and launch the Schemes after the consultation.

Extended Deadline – Consultation on Draft Online Safety Code and Related Matters 

Posted on by jcaulfield

On the 8th December 2023, Coimisiún na Meán published a consultation document on its Draft Online Safety Code and related matters.  

Following requests from industry and civil society organisations the Commission has agreed to extend the deadline. The new deadline for submissions is Wednesday 31st of January 2024. 

Submission can be made to VSPSregulation@cnam.ie and a copy of the consultation document may be found here.  

Coimisiún na Meán opens public consultation on Ireland’s first Online Safety Code

Posted on by jcaulfield

Consultation on binding rules for video-sharing platforms to keep adults and children safe online

Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s new body for regulating broadcasters, on-demand services, and online media, and supporting media development, has today (08.12.23) opened a public consultation on its draft Online Safety Code for video-sharing platform services.

After consultation, the finalised Code will form part of Ireland’s overall online safety framework, making digital services legally accountable for how they keep people safe online. This framework will also include the EU Digital Services Act and the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation, enforced in Ireland by Coimisiún na Meán.

The draft Code sets out measures that designated video-sharing platforms will be obliged to implement to keep their users, especially children, safe online. These platforms will have to protect children from specific types of harmful content.  This includes cyberbullying; online content that promotes or encourages a feeding or eating disorder; and online content that promotes or encourages self-harm or suicide. The measures include using robust age verification technology to make sure that children are not exposed to inappropriate content, such as pornography. As part of these measures, parents must also be given the tools to ensure that children do not encounter illegal or harmful content online.

Platforms will have to prevent the uploading or sharing of a range of illegal content, including incitement to hatred or violence. They will also have to provide media literacy tools for users, which can help people recognise disinformation and misinformation.

Once finalised, the Code will be legally binding on designated video-sharing platforms based in Ireland. Coimisiún na Meán will be able to impose fines of up to €20 million for breaches of the Code.

Commenting, Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh Hodnett said: “Coimisiún na Meán is determined to use its full suite of powers to keep people safe online. The publication of the draft Code is a milestone in the move from self-regulation by platforms to effective regulation.  The draft Code was informed by the views gathered as part of a call for inputs during the summer from civil society organisations and industry. These insights were extremely valuable in helping us to develop a robust code. We are now inviting members of the public to have their say in this critical part of our new online safety regime.”

She added: “Once the consultation closes, we will move to finalise Ireland’s first online safety code. We will be seeking approval from the European Commission to implement the code.  This effective regulation of video-sharing platforms will significantly reduce the potential harms that these services can cause to children and young people.”

The draft Code and the consultation document can be found here. The consultation is open for responses until Friday, 19th January 2024.

ENDS

Media contact: Joanne Ahern / Síona Cahill, DHR Communications, Tel: 087-9881837 / 087-7530255.

All other queries: Coimisiún na Meán, 01-6441200.

Notes for Editors:

  • Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh Hodnett and Coimisiún na Meán Executive Chairperson, Jeremy Godfrey are available for interview, on request.
  • Further information in relation to the draft Code can be found in the following Q&A documents here.

About Coimisiún na Meán:

Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s new commission for regulating broadcasters, on-demand services and online media, and supporting media development. Established in March 2023 under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, it builds on the work of its predecessor, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. It is responsible for ensuring and maintaining a thriving and diverse media landscape in Ireland that facilitates a mix of voices, opinions and sources of news and current affairs, as well as a safe online environment.

Its responsibilities are to:

  • Oversee the funding of and support the development of the wider media sector in Ireland.
  • Oversee the regulation of broadcasting and video-on-demand services.
  • Develop and enforce the Irish regulatory regime for online safety.

Designation of Video Sharing Platform Services

Coimisiún na Meán will announce the initial designated Video-Sharing Platform Services by the end of the year.