Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. These issues, among others, have also been raised by NewsBrands and Local Ireland as part of their Journalism Matters campaign.

The composition of Departments and their remits are matters solely for An Taoiseach. Therefore, the extension of my Department’s remit and the appointment of an official to take responsibility for all elements of the media are not matters on which I can respond. Aspects of policy responsibility in regard to matters that affect the media are currently shared by a range of Departments. Let me give some examples to illustrate this point. Defamation law is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. Policy on taxation, specifically VAT, is the responsibility of the Department of Finance. Responsibility for policy on culture is the responsibility of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I have responsibility for broadcasting policy and policy on media plurality. The latter role can involve print media or newspapers as they may be parties to a proposed merger. Upon receiving notification from prospective parties, which must first receive the approval of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on competition grounds, my Department carries out an assessment as to whether the transaction is contrary to the public interest in protecting the plurality of media in the State.

As the Senator may be aware, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is the independent regulator established under the Broadcasting Act 2009 to regulate traditional or linear television and radio broadcasters in Ireland. The basis for the regulation of television broadcasting is provided for in the European audiovisual media services directive, a review of which will be finalised before the end of the year. This revision will require member states to increase the level of oversight in place for non-linear or on-demand television providers, such as Netflix and RTÉ Player. Member states will also be required, for the first time, to require video-sharing platform services established in their territory, such as YouTube, to ensure that users, especially minors, are protected from the most harmful content. This is to be achieved through co-regulation. Once the finalised version of the directive is published, Ireland will have 21 months to implement the required changes. Preparatory work is under way within my Department. Once the text has been finalised, public consultation will be held to inform our approach to implementation.

I recognise the importance of independent journalism and the vital role it plays in our society and in supporting our democracy by providing access to accurate, high-quality and relevant information to citizens throughout the country. As I have outlined, my remit does not extend to all aspects of media policy but I have specific responsibilities regarding the broadcasting media. In recognition of the important role and challenges faced by many local and community radio broadcasters, I am proposing, as part of the broadcasting (amendment) Bill 2017, to introduce a new funding scheme to offer bursaries to journalists working in these stations. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel and I hope to publish and commence the legislation in both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

Separately, the European Commission, as part of its initiative to tackle online disinformation, has announced that it will introduce measures to support quality journalism across member states.The Commission has proposed to member states that a specific allocation should be made in the fund under the Creative Europe programme 2021-27 to support enhancing a free, diverse and pluralistic media environment, quality journalism and media literacy. The programme, which is under negotiation at the moment, falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

On the bursary, the part over which I have authority over the local media. I have proposed this particular concept and I would like it to be extended to include other forms of journalism because many of them use other forms of transmission aside from broadcast such as online and the traditional print mechanism. The important thing is to establish the bursary and then we need to look at what other funding avenues are available to us to expand that.