New media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, formally established
- Published on: 15 March 2023
- Last updated on: 19 April 2024
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, welcomed today’s formal establishment of Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s new authority responsible for overseeing the regulation of broadcasting and video-on-demand services and for introducing the new regulatory framework for online safety. The Minister also welcomed the commitment by Coimisiún na Meán to prepare and share its first work programme.
Coimisiún na Meán will be led by four Commissioners, who have been appointed by Minister Martin:
- Jeremy Godfrey as Executive Chairperson
- Niamh Hodnett as Online Safety Commissioner
- Rónán Ó Domhnaill as Media Development Commissioner
- Celene Craig as Broadcasting Commissioner
Minister Martin, said:
“I welcome the formal establishment of Coimisiún na Meán today. I have met with the incoming Executive Chairperson and Commissioners and know that they will form a dedicated and strong team.
“I look forward to working with them as we chart a new path for the regulation and development of the media sector in Ireland.”
Notes
Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022
The Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act 2022 [link broken] The OSMR Act 2022 amends the Broadcasting Act 2009 to establish Coimisiún na Meán, dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, establish a regulatory framework for online safety, update the regulation of broadcasting and video on-demand services, and transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive into Irish law.
Appointment of Commissioners
Following open recruitment competitions run by the Public Appointments Service, on 17 January 2023 the Minister announced her intention to appoint the members of Coimisiún na Meán.
The Executive Chairperson and Commissioners took up their duties on an administrative basis on 13 February 2023. With effect from today, 15 March 2023, the Executive Chairperson and Commissioners take up their duties on a statutory basis.
Signing of Ministerial Orders
On 22 February 2023, Minister Martin signed the necessary Ministerial Orders to establish Coimisiún na Meán and to commence relevant sections of the OSMR Act 2022, including those providing for the:
- powers, duties, functions and operation of Coimisiún na Meán
- updated regulatory framework for broadcasting and video-on-demand services
- new regulatory framework for online safety
- powers of investigation and sanction conferred on Coimisiún na Meán
The relevant Orders are:
- the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 (Commencement) Order 2023
- the Broadcasting Act 2009 (Establishment Day) Order 2023