Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Minister. I was keen to hear the Minister’s response before making my contribution. Again, this relates to the principle or language around this and it is important that we have something that reflects this in the legislation.

My concern is around when we talk about the broader media environment and how we can effectively regulate what is happening in respect of those who are in receipt of broadcasting licences and so on. As a general rule, most of those behave responsibly and would not look at broadcasting something that will undermine the authority of the State. Unfortunately, they are competing in many cases with online or digital services which, frankly, do not have to deal with such regulation.

This issue is around how we can ensure that we get the balance right which is a little tough. If we are hammering RTÉ around perceptions as to whether or not a particular programme may or may not be looking to undermine the State, one may also have online websites and platforms, which I will not describe as news providers, that do not believe in trusted journalism or in evidence-based stories, and which will put ideas out about undermining the institutions of the State. We have to look at an appropriate balance.

It is important that we have something in the legislation along these lines. I appreciate that this is the language of the past and of how we are trying to apply it in a modern environment. In that sense, I am agreeing with both Senator Higgins and the Minister. I am reflecting on how we can ensure that when we have the media commission up and running, the institutions of the State are protected but that we allow, at the same time, for justified criticism. It is a question of getting that balance right and it may be just a case of looking again at some of the language.