Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Some of the other Deputies have mentioned that in 2015, it was reported that Ireland is exposed to a high risk because of its concentration of media ownership. According to findings of a report from the European University Institute Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, we are at risk. Deputies in Sinn Féin referred to the report commissioned by Ms Lynn Boylan, MEP, which indicates Ireland has one of the most concentrated media markets of any democracy, with the two main controlling entities being RTE, the State broadcaster, and an individual businessman, Mr. Denis O'Brien. Along with the ownership of Communicorp and his shareholding in INM, Mr. O'Brien's "litigious profligacy", as it is termed in the report, in other words, his tendency to sue - the report details 12 lawsuits he has taken against Irish media outlets and personnel in the past six years - is noted. He is listed among the 200 most well-off billionaires in the world. His company, Communicorp, has 40 radio stations across Europe, including two main stations in Ireland, Newstalk and Today FM. He is the largest shareholder in Independent News and Media.

I have sat through a number of lectures in recent days on the committee. I note the Minister is not here now and he was not present when we had these discussions. We were repeatedly told that media plurality and diversity would not be threatened by the further amalgamation of media involving Mr. O'Brien and INM. I find it ironic that Ms Boylan's serious and significant report was covered widely by the likes of the The Sunday Business Postand The Irish Times, to name but two newspapers, but practically ignored by the Independent News and Media group.

I am not for one moment suggesting that media concentration means Mr. O'Brien or his solicitor will ring an editor or columnist in the Meath Chronicleor any such paper, but without any direct instruction or suggestion, there is what is called in the trade a chill effect. This means one knows, as a journalist or columnist, that to say or write something would not be in one's interest. For anybody to suggest otherwise is pure nonsense.

Some people hold the romantic idea there was once a golden era in the newspaper and media industry when we held everybody to account. I do not hold that idea and, like Deputy Barry, I believe the majority of the media has always been on the side of the rich and powerful and against ordinary workers and protestors. We have never had papers siding with protest movements and people power movements that try to deliver change. However, we must be aware that a concentration of the power of the media in the hands of very wealthy people is a very regressive step for the future of democracy in the country. It is farcical when a Deputy in this Chamber who was the subject of an investigation has been sitting on a committee to examine this robustly. I am referring, of course, to Deputy Lowry.

I support those who have moved the Bill and thank them for doing so. There may be elements that require amendment but we will support it because it is an attempt to deal with an extraordinary position regarding the plurality of the media. This is not just a business matter and it is a question of fairness, democracy, transparency and access to media.

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