Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 October 2014
30. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the level of diversity that exists in the broadcast and print media here; the measures he plans to introduce to ensure that media ownership cannot be excessively concentrated in one company or person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40363/14]
View answerThe media enjoy a position of special rights and responsibilities and are an important conduit for the exercise of freedom of expression, the development of civic discourse and the proper and adequate representation of the diversity that exists in our society. Owing to this critical role played by the media it is vital to the public interest that the State protect media pluralism as far as is practicable. In March 2008, an advisory group was established to review the existing legislative framework regarding the public interest aspects of media mergers in Ireland. The Group’s recommendations were incorporated in the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014. One key change was the passing of responsibility for the Media Mergers process from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to me in my capacity as the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Act enhances our ability to pursue the public interest in protecting media pluralism. It provides for a determination to be made on whether a proposed media merger should be permitted or not based on its effect on the plurality of media in the State and on its implications on the concentration of ownership in media. It conveys further powers on the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to assist in a thorough ‘Phase 2’ of a proposed merger, if so requested, and gives the BAI further responsibilities to conduct and publish ongoing research into media pluralism in the State.
Taken together with our long standing support for public service broadcasting, I am confident that we have a robust and effective set of measures in place to support and encourage a plural and diverse media.
