Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, and the Chairman for organising this meeting. It is an historic day and it is nice to be here.

I thank our guests for what they do. They provide diversity and plurality in our society, which is important to our democracy. It is very often understated. They contribute to the proper functioning of democracy in our society, provide a platform for self-expression, inform citizens and engender public debate. Those are important things.

I will start by asking a question of Dr. Wheatley. She raised serious issues regarding paywalls and the creation of a two-tier news landscape where premium information will be given to the 16% of audiences who are willing to buy it while the rest will receive substandard and possibly incorrect news. To what degree does she see that happening in Ireland? What are the pitfalls we should be looking out for?

The following point was also mentioned by the NUJ. How important is the disclosure of website ownership and the likes of codes of conduct to organisers that receive grants and funding from the State? Have our guests any comment on the transparency between editorial structures and procedures and how they are managed?

Maybe the NUJ can address that. Mr. Dooley referred to the concentration on ownership being an issue as well, and this was highlighted in the opening statement. Can he expand on this in the Irish context?

Representatives of the IBI stated that future funding schemes should be practical and user-friendly. Can they expand on that, tell us why it is important and give some practical examples?

That is basically it. I have one last question to ask all the stakeholders. Can they comment on the Future of Media Commission's recommendations on developing an all-Ireland media economy?