Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport & Media meet for engagement on non-court based conflict resolution mechanisms for the handling of media related complaints

The meeting will hear from representatives from:

• Local Ireland
• NewsBrands Ireland
• National Union of Journalists
• Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman
• Independent Broadcasters of Ireland

Speaking ahead of the meeting Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Niamh Smyth TD said “Our meeting tomorrow will allow the Committee the opportunity to engage with those bodies directly impacted by the conflict resolution mechanisms currently in place for handling media related complaints. We note that our colleagues on the Joint Committee on Justice recommended through its Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill that consideration be given to introducing a serious harm test for all cases of defamation

“Our Committee has been committed to and continues the encouragement and promotion of a free press in Ireland. We are aware of the importance of the press to a functioning democracy and Irish society and we have held meetings on wide-ranging issues relating to the future of all media with diverse stakeholders from the sector across the entire country.

“We intend to get a clear indication from the representatives attending tomorrow on the current situation and changes they would like to see implemented.”

The meeting at 1:30pm can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV

Read more about the work done by The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media  

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.