Statement from NewsBrands Ireland in relation to Programme for Government

15/06/2020. NewsBrands Ireland, the representative body for Ireland’s news publishers, print and digital, has welcomed the proposals for the media sector in the Programme for Government announced today.

Among the proposals which affect news publishers are:

• Bring together all policy functions relating to broadcast media, print media, and online media into a single media division within a government department.
• Expand the remit of the Public Service Broadcasting Commission to become the Future of Media Commission and to consider the role of print, broadcast, and online as platform agnostic.
• Review and reform defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to freedom of expression, the right to the protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice.

Ann Marie Lenihan, CEO of NewsBrands Ireland, said:

“The items outlined for the media sector in the Programme for Government recognise the critical role of journalism and respond directly to the proposals put forward by NewsBrands Ireland and our members in recent years. The media market continues to evolve and converge and we have long campaigned for a dedicated Minister for Media or to extend the remit of the Department of Communications to include all media and not just the broadcast sector.”

“The proposed ‘Future of Media Commission’ and resolve to reform defamation laws are both positive steps to address the many challenges which our sector have been experiencing. We look forward to engaging with the new government to discuss the proposals in more detail and how these should be implemented as a matter of urgency to ensure they support the news publisher industry.” Ms. Lenihan concluded.

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For further details, please contact:

Lisa Buckley, NewsBrands Ireland.

lbuckley@newsbrands.ie

0877779259