Ms Jacinta Brack:

Good afternoon to members. Many thanks for the invitation for the Irish Traveller Movement to present today. Before addressing some recommendations and proposals, we want to acknowledge the comprehensive report of the commission and the many recommendations made, which we welcome as having significant ambition in the equality, diversity and inclusion, EDI, area. We welcome the establishment of the media commission and appointments of commissioners for overseeing the new regulatory framework. This gives confidence that the outstanding concerns of Travellers about fair and balanced reporting and under-inclusion and accessibility might be addressed. In the making of the media service codes across services, our expectation is that these would be considered in the context of Travellers' exclusion from the previous code, and that these might be referenced in the new codes to mitigate against harm and offence and provide a strengthened safeguard. Some of the specific difficulties Travellers encounter in media both as consumers and contributors are evidenced here. Media content, by its design, is consciously biased towards a majority view and Travellers are treated as a statistically insignificant subset. Travellers have almost no say in what is articulated in the media about Traveller life, with some few exceptions.

Greater Traveller participation and visibility in delivering content and improvements in reporting standards is particularly important to combat racism and promote inclusion. Their concerns remain regarding the safeguarding standards for vulnerable groups and broadcasting content, without transparency of editorial and production processes, governance procedures and guidelines for researchers and editors in producing content. For example, matters have been raised by groups to programme editors and researchers in debating format TV for the potential of offence or harm to Travellers on specific topics where, most often, producers take unilateral decisions that could be interpreted as servicing media content demand rather than due regard for invoking anti-Traveller discourse. There is no Traveller representation in delivering content and very little visibility across features, drama and entertainment. Along with other underrepresented groups, Travellers have almost no decision-making status in media or occupy advisory or employment roles.

In print media, there has been a disproportionate focus by some on negative reinforcement and stereotyping themes, which has caused hurt and offence and contributed to anti-Traveller sentiment over many decades. Travellers generally, and children particularly, are vulnerable as digital natives to increasing exposure to anti-Traveller racism and widespread discrimination online. Despite some moderation by individual news sites of their own content, others continue to host Traveller articles that consistently fuel hate. This is further compounded when these are posted to their third-party platforms and those sites are governed by their own rules. We agree with many that these and other loopholes require urgent attention and the appointment of the online safety commissioner and standards moderator is much anticipated. As Travellers are not specifically identified for protection under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, which is a concern, considering the long-term discrimination and racism faced., there is uncertainty over how specific and aggravating harmful offence caused will be sufficiently dealt with. This is particularly important given the procedural difficulties requiring persistent and time-consuming monitoring by sector organisations up to now, as neither the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI or the Press Council were required to monitor media content for harm and offence. It is notable, however, that the media commission will undertake strategic reviews insofar as is consistent with other functions, and its available resources . It is hoped this includes harm and offence for vulnerable groups and that the revised and strengthened media services codes will address these concerns. Ways in which Traveller visibility, broad inclusion and representation can happen in a proactive and planned way by this public service media are much needed. It is concerning that Travellers were not targeted in RTEs diversity and inclusion vision and strategy. There is also no advisory council of underrepresented groups from which RTE can draw expertise in the development of related content. Establishing such a group would support better outcomes. Internship programmes are also needed to develop a pipeline of talent from underrepresented groups to media employment and apprenticeship programmes. We very much welcome the many recommendations in this regard in the commission's report and I can elaborate on those later.