Press release
Launch of Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Launch of Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes
Catherine Martin, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, has today welcomed the launch by Coimisiún na Meán of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme and the Courts Reporting Scheme. The Schemes have been developed in line with the recommendations of the Future of Media Commission and have been the subject of extensive consultation with the wider media sector.
€6m in Exchequer funding has been allocated for the establishment of the Schemes this year. The Schemes will operate as contestable award schemes on a platform-neutral basis, under which Coimisiún na Meán will award successful applicants with funding to support the production of public service content over a fixed period through the deployment of additional journalistic resources.
The Local Democracy Reporting Scheme will assist local media in continuing to perform its vital role in providing accurate, comprehensive and fair coverage of the proceedings of Local Authorities and associated committees by skilled journalists.
The Courts Reporting Scheme will enhance and promote comprehensive, high-quality and transparent reporting of court proceedings at a local and regional level, to promote public awareness of the rule of law and the administration of justice.
Minister Martin said:
“I warmly welcome the launch of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes by Coimisiún na Meán today. A strong, diverse and free media sector, of which local and regional news are a vital component, is essential for democracy and for our society as a whole. The Schemes mark a new departure by the State to support public interest journalism at a time when traditional journalism is under pressure.
The €6m I secured in Budget 2024 for the new Schemes will go a long way towards supporting quality, independent public interest journalism that provides an essential service to the public and preserving the plurality, sustainability and integrity of our media.”
Commenting on the launch of the Journalism Schemes, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, Rónán Ó Domhnaill said:
“We are delighted to be launching our Journalism Schemes for local democracy and court reporting today. This the first opportunity for Coimisiún na Meán to offer direct support to promote high-quality and trusted journalism for local communities across Ireland on a platform-neutral basis. This is the first time print and online news providers can be supported this way.
“These new Schemes are being introduced on a pilot basis and will be reviewed subsequently, with feedback received and the stakeholder engagement contributing to the development of future funding initiatives and schemes. We would like to encourage all eligible applicants to apply for funding and we look forward to receiving feedback on the implementation of these new Schemes.”
Notes to Editors:
The Future of Media Commission recommended the establishment of six new Media Fund schemes on a phased basis:
• Local Democracy Reporting Scheme;
• Courts Reporting Scheme;
• Support for Digital Transformation;
• News Reporting Scheme;
• Media Access and Training Scheme; and,
• Community Media Scheme
The Local Democracy Reporting Scheme and the Courts Reporting Schemes have been prioritised for rollout in 2024, with the other four schemes recommended by the FOMC to be developed and implemented in due course.