Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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200. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he is taking to address the issue of fake news on social media here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16909/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The dissemination of so-called "fake news" and disinformation through social media and other online platforms is currently a matter of widespread concern.

Effective, proportionate and appropriate responses to this issue will require international co-operation and agreement. In this regard, the European Commission established an Independent High Level Group on Fake News and Online Disinformationwhich reported in March 2018. The Report recognises the complexity of the issue and calls for a multi-stakeholder approach to drive greater transparency, fact-checking and media literacy in tackling online disinformation. It also recognises the importance of diverse and sustainable sources of news media and of quality journalism in this regard. 

The European Commission is currently preparing a Communication in respect of an EU approach to addressing online disinformation which is expected to issue in the coming weeks.

At  national level, the Government has established an interdepartmental group to consider the issues arising from recent experiences in other democratic countiries with regard to the use of social media by external, anonymous or hidden third parties. It will focus on the risks arising from disinformation spread by social media and other means, particularly in respect of safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes. My Department is represented on that group which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.  

The BAI has produced a media literacy policy to support users in acquiring the skills to better understand how media works and to determine the accuracy and fairness of the information they receive.  The BAI also supports the recently formed Irish Media Literacy Network which has 93 members, including online platforms. 

I have stated on a number of occasions that one of the most effective means of tackling disinformation is to support the provision of impartial and independent news which is reliable and provides the necessary Irish perspective on news events and current affairs. In this regard, it is important to ensure that public service broadcasters are properly funded to support quality journalism and news services. We must also recognise the financial difficulty that all broadcasters are facing. This is why the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill that I have proposed provides for the introduction of a new funding scheme to offer bursaries to journalists working in local or community radio stations.  The Broadcasting Bill also provides for measures that will enable a reduction in the burden of the broadcasting levy on all broadcasters, and for exempting  community broadcasters from the levy altogether. In addition, I have announced my intention to seek Government approval to amend section 41(2) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 at Committee Stage of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, in order to remove the hourly limit on advertising for commercial radio stations.  Together, these measures will contribute to mitigating the financial challenges faced by Irish broadcasters.