Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she has examined the impact of social media on conventional media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37658/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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In recognition of the importance of a sustainable Irish media sector, the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission, which is tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion.

On 29 September 2020 the Government agreed the terms of reference and membership of the Future of Media Commission. The Commission is chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, former President of Dublin City University, and includes experts in public service media, independent journalism, social media, new technology platforms, media economics, culture, language, creative content, governance and international best practice.

One of the goals of the Commission is to identify what the experience has been for public service broadcasters, other broadcasters, print and online media at local, regional and national level in delivering public service aims, and the challenges created for these media by new global platforms and changing audience preferences in relation to how content is delivered.

The Commission held their first two meetings on 29th October and 12th November.  Their deliberations will be informed by strong engagement with stakeholders and the public. The Commission will report in 9 months.