Orders signed to formally establish Coimisiún na Meán and commence key provisions of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022
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On 22 February 2023, Ireland’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin, signed a Ministerial Order establishing Coimisiún na Meán (the “Media Commission”) on a statutory basis, with effect from 15 March 2023. Coimisiún na Meán, which will replace the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, is the multi-person body established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 (the “OSMR Act”) responsible for overseeing Ireland’s regulatory framework for online safety, broadcasting services and video-on-demand services.
Last month, Minister Martin announced the appointment of the following Commissioners to Coimisiún na Meán on an administrative basis from 13 February 2023:
- Jeremy Godfrey as Executive Chairperson;
- Niamh Hodnett as Online Safety Commissioner;
- Rónán Ó Domhnaill as Media Development Commissioner; and
- Celene Craig as Broadcasting Commissioner.
Yesterday’s Order appoints these individuals on a statutory basis from 15 March 2023.
In addition to this Ministerial Order, Minister Martin also signed a Commencement Order, meaning that 15 March 2023 will also see the commencement of the necessary Parts and sections on the OSMR Act allowing for it to commence the development of this regulatory framework via the establishment and operation of Coimisiún na Meán.
The full text of the Government’s press release is available here.
For further information in relation to the operation of Coimisiún na Meán, you can watch the recording from our 30 November 2022 event, Online Safety - a global view: the changing face of regulation for digital businesses, available here.