Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
213. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional measures that will be introduced to deal with the spread of misinformation on social media platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54401/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of the measures to address misinformation and disinformation, the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act was passed in December 2022 and provided for the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s new online safety and media regulator. It is An Coimisiún that will be addressing online safety, including harmful online content like disinformation and misinformation. An Coimisiún is independent in the exercise of its functions.
Both disinformation and misinformation are complex issues which can also sometimes encompass extremist hate speech, threats or incitement to violence. In that context, the horrifying events of 23 November are of key relevance. Coimisiún na Meán engaged with all the platforms immediately in the wake of the incident. An Coimisiún continues to advise people to report extremist hate speech or threats or incitement to violence content to the platforms or to An Garda Síochána. It remains the role of An Garda Síochána to investigate suspected criminal activity.
An Coimisiún was formally established in March 2023 with the commencement of the Act. As provided for under the OSMR Act, Coimisiún na Meán are developing their first binding online safety code. The code which will set out rules for how designated online services deal with defined categories of harmful online content, including extremist content like hate speech, threats and incitement to violence. It expects to adopt this code in 2024 following a stakeholder consultation on a draft which will begin in the coming days.
Failure to comply with an online safety code can lead to the imposition of significant financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal penalties.
Alongside the OSMR Act, since August 2023, the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Digital Services Act applies to very large online platforms. It will apply to all platforms from February 2024. Under the DSA, the European Commission and Coimisiún na Meán (as Digital Services Coordinator) share responsibility for supervising the Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). Very large platforms have extra obligations under the DSA, for example in terms of having to do risk assessments and take mitigation measures in respect of harmful content such as disinformation and their risk assessment and mitigation plans are currently being assessed by the European Commission. On 5 December, the Government published the Digital Services Bill to provide for the EU Digital Services Act in Ireland’s national law and to formally designate Coimisiún na Meán as Digital Services Co-ordinator.
Finally, in order to address the spread with disinformation, there is a need for co-ordination of a range of existing and new initiatives. This was recognised in the Future of Media Commission report which recommended a national counter disinformation strategy. In fulfilment of that recommendation, an independently chaired working group was established in February 2023 to draft a strategy which aims to coordinate national efforts to combat disinformation and provide a joined-up approach. The Group has met regularly since establishment, held an online public consultation and a stakeholder consultation forum and aims to publish the strategy in Q1 2024.
