Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is the statutory independent body responsible for regulation of the broadcasting sector which includes oversight of compliance of all broadcast content, including user generated content broadcast on television and radio. In line with its responsibilities in this area, the BAI already has in place a number of codes, including the code of fairness, objectivity and impartiality in news and current affairs and the code of programme standards, with which broadcasters are required to comply in regard to content being broadcast on television and radio. The monitoring and enforcement of compliance by broadcasters with these codes are matters for the compliance committee of the BAI which is also independent in its functions. With regard to Internet-based platforms, the BAI does not have any regulatory power in respect of online content, including user generated content made available online by broadcasters. I have asked my Department to discuss this issue with the BAI to see how, if possible, it might be addressed in so far as it relates to broadcasters.

More generally, social media and other platforms to which the Deputy refers are online platforms that allow people to create, share and exchange information and to comment among themselves in virtual communities and networks. To date, these media have not been subject to a formal regulatory regime akin to that used to regulate traditional radio and television broadcast media, either in Ireland or other jurisdictions. There is a range of reasons for this, not least the rapidly evolving nature of the technologies involved, the sensitivities around regulating media and the multi-jurisdictional nature of the Internet.

There are no simple answers to the challenges posed by the development and abuse of social media and user generated content on online platforms, not least because of the international basis of the services and because any possible policy response falls across a number of Departments. In recognition of this complexity, my Department maintains open and regular contact with all Departments and State agencies with responsibilities in this area. My Department also monitors international developments with a view to ensuring domestic policy within its remit reflects best practice and that the regulatory framework is amended, as necessary.

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