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Programme for Government

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Questions (147)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

147. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Taoiseach the status of the establishment of the Future of Media Commission outlined in the programme for Government; the timeline for progression of same. [28281/20]

View answer

Written answers

On Tuesday 29 September, Government approved the terms of reference and membership of the Future of Media Commission.

Professor Brian Mac Craith has been appointed as Chair of the Commission. Other members of the Commission include:

- Sinéad Burke, Director of Tilting the Lens, writer and academic active in social media, and member of the Council of State

- Alan Rusbridger, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, and former Editor-in-Chief of Guardian News and Media

- Lynette Fay, freelance broadcaster (broadcasting as Gaeilge and in English on BBC Radio Ulster) with an academic background in applied communications

- Nuala O’Connor, co-founder of South Wind Blows, writer and documentary filmmaker in the areas of music and the Arts

- Gillian Doyle, Professor of Media Economics (Theatre, Film and Television Studies), University of Glasgow

- Mark Little, CEO and co-Founder of Kinzen. Founder of social news agency, Storyful

- Stephen McNamara, Director of Communications, Irish Rugby Football Union

- Dr Finola Doyle-O’Neill, Broadcast Historian, University College Cork

- Two further proposed members have agreed to serve, subject to approval by their employers, and their names will be announced once this is obtained.

The Commission has been constituted as an expert group, rather than a representative body. Members have a broad range of expertise and experience as journalists and/or academics in broadcast, print and online media at national and international level, including at senior editorial level.

It is envisaged that the Commission will have extensive engagement with key stakeholders, including journalists and their representatives, publishers, regional media, and the wider public to inform its deliberations.

The Future of Media Commission is tasked with:

- proposing how public service broadcasting aims should be delivered in Ireland over the next ten years;

- how this should contribute to supporting Ireland’s cultural and creative sectors;

- how this work can be funded in a way that is sustainable, gives greater security of funding, ensures independent editorial oversight and delivers value for money to the public;

- making recommendations on RTÉ’s role, financing and structure within this framework;

- how this is overseen and regulated, having regard to our EU obligations including the requirements of the revised Audio-visual Media Services Directive.

The Commission is to report within nine months on the necessary measures that need to be taken to ensure that there is a vibrant, independent and sustainable public service media for the next generation.

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