NewsBrands Ireland urges government to support professional journalism as tide of misinformation on social media threatens democracy

Irish news publishers join hundreds of global news organisations in ‘Choose Truth’ campaign for World News Day on September 28^th

27 September 2024. NewsBrands Ireland, the representative body for Ireland’s leading multi-platform news publishers, has today called for greater government support for the professional journalism industry. The call was made as part of the global ‘Choose Truth’ campaign to mark the annual World News Day which falls tomorrow September 28^th.

This week, more than 100 countries, hundreds of news organisations, media associations, and individuals have this week joined forces to highlight the importance of fact-based journalism.

Speaking about the campaign, Chair of NewsBrands Ireland Sammi Bourke, said: “In a world flooded with misinformation and disinformation, the duty of journalists to deliver accurate, trustworthy, and independent news is more essential than ever. “

“All journalists working for our member publishers are committed to the Press Council of Ireland’s Code of Practise. In reporting news and information, we strive at all times for truth and accuracy. This means we don’t publish rumours. We don’t publish opinions that masquerade as news reports. We don’t publish lies or news that stirs up hatred against people on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation.”

“The government must explore ways to support the news publishing industry, such as ensuring press freedom by swiftly reforming our defamation law and by enacting effective legislation to support publishers in seeking fair payment from search and social media platforms for use of their journalism. By doing this we can ensure that journalism thrives and that our communities remain informed and engaged.”

-ENDS-

Notes for Editor

NewsBrands Ireland represents Ireland’s leading multi-platform news publishers. The organisation’s remit is to promote the fundamental role of a free press and the contribution made by its members’ trusted journalism to democracy; to work towards a fair and balanced legislative framework that supports public service journalism and sustainable business models for the news publishing industry and to underline the value of news publishers’ audiences to advertisers.

Members titles ( print and digital versions) include:  BreakingNews.ie, Business Post, EVOKE, Extra.ie, Irish Daily Mail, Irish Daily Star, Irish Examiner,  Irish Farmers Journal,  Irish Mirror & Irish Sunday Mirror, The Irish Mail on Sunday, The Irish Sun & Sun on Sunday, The Irish Times, The Sunday Times.

WORLD NEWS DAY is a global initiative to draw public attention to the role that journalists play in providing trustworthy news and information that serves citizens and democracy. World News Day takes place annually on September 28.

World News Day is presented by the World Editors Forum, The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) and Daily Maverick’s Project Kontinuum.

WAN-IFRA (The World Association of News Publishers) is the global organisation of the world’s press, comprising 3,000 news publishers and technology companies and 60 national publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries. With a mission to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media, WAN-IFRA provides its members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society. The World Editors Forum is its network for editors.