Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
620. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice her plans to make social media companies accountable in Irish law for false, misleading and defamatory publications on social media platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28854/20]
View answerIn relation to defamatory publications, my Department is currently completing a review of the Defamation Act 2009. This review is included in the Programme for Government, which contains a commitment (p. 122) to ‘review and reform defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression, the right to protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice’.
I expect to receive the report of the review, with options for change, in the coming weeks, with a view to bringing proposals for legislative change to Government for approval before the end of the year. The Defamation (Amendment) Bill is included in the Government’s Legislation Programme, which was published on 15 September.
The Review is addressing the wide range of issues raised in submissions made to it, including how to tackle effectively the new and specific problems raised by online defamation.
The objective set for the defamation review from the outset was to ensure that our defamation law strikes the correct balance between rights which are protected by our Constitution and by the European Convention on Human Rights – the individual’s right to their good name and privacy, and the right to freedom of expression, taking account of the vital role played by a free and independent press in our democracy.
It is a priority for me and for my Department to get the reform of defamation law right, and to bring forward the required legislation at the earliest opportunity.
My Department does not have a role in relation to the regulation of false and misleading information more generally on social media platforms.
