In February 2026, NewsBrands Ireland welcomed the passing of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill, marking the end of a decade-long campaign for a fairer legal framework for Irish journalism.

The centrepiece of the reform is the abolition of juries in defamation cases, a move NewsBrands Ireland has long argued for. Under the previous regime, jury trials were notoriously long, expensive, and prone to delivering unpredictable, excessive awards without the requirement to provide legal reasoning.

Ann Marie Lenihan, CEO of NewsBrands Ireland, commented:

“This legislation represents a landmark moment for press freedom in Ireland. At a time when journalism globally is under pressure from legal threats, political hostility, and economic strain, it is vital that our laws support the media’s role in holding power to account.

The reformed defamation laws strike the necessary balance between protecting reputations and upholding the public’s right to know. Crucially, the removal of juries ends the era of ‘chilling effect’ awards and delivers a more proportionate system.”

Removing the Chilling Effect

For many years, Ireland’s defamation laws were widely criticised for being out of line with international norms, particularly across Europe and other English-speaking countries. The old system was too often used by powerful interests to deter scrutiny, exposing publishers to excessive and unsustainable financial risk.

Jury decisions in defamation cases lacked transparency, with no requirement to explain how verdicts were reached, how the law was applied, or how damages were calculated. Moving to judge-led decisions introduces consistency, clarity and accountability.

NewsBrands Ireland believes these reforms rebalance the media environment, enabling robust investigative journalism in the public interest to thrive without the looming threat of disproportionate and destabilising legal consequences.

 A Long Road to Reform

NewsBrands Ireland has been the leading advocate for these changes since the review of the Defamation Act 2009 was first announced in 2016. The organisation’s persistence followed years of criticism directed at Ireland’s legal system by the European Court of Human Rights, Reporters Without Borders, and WAN-IFRA.

Key Milestones in the Reform Campaign:

• 2016: Review of the 2009 Act announced following sustained engagement by NewsBrands Ireland.
• July 2024: Minister James Browne brings the Amendment Bill to Cabinet.
• September 2024: Bill introduced to the Dáil, followed by rigorous pre-legislative scrutiny where NewsBrands Ireland provided expert testimony.
• July 2025: The Bill moves to the Seanad, undergoing ten intensive Committee Stage sessions.
• February 2026: Bill passes in the Dail.

Read our submission to the Review of the Defamation Act 2009:

NewsBrands submission on Defamation Act 2009 (1)

Read our submission to Joint Commitee on Justice in 2023

NewsBrands and Local Ireland submission to Joint Committee on Justice May 2023