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The Taoiseach has said that independent journalism is essential to prop up democracy and is vulnerable to attack.
Micheál Martin also said that the government should financially support the media in a way that protects its editorial independence.
He was speaking at the Dáil about the new Future of Media Commission, which was announced today.
Mr. Martin also said that the television license fee was not enough, nor was the way to charge it. He said that many people were paying for it and many were not, which he said was not fair.
He said journalism should be financially remunerative, which he said is becoming more challenging, and said the current pandemic has showcased the best of public service broadcasting.
The delivery and funding of public service media, the role, funding and structure of RTÉ, and international best practices are among the issues for the new commission to consider.
It will be chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, former president of DCU, and includes among its members experts in public service media, independent journalism and social media.
The new commission will examine Irish public service broadcasters, as well as other broadcasters, print and online media at local, regional and national levels.
You will examine the challenges created for media by new global platforms and changing audience preferences and look at the current situation and how it could evolve over the next decade.
It will make recommendations on the role, funding and structure of RTÉ and will take into account EU obligations, including the audiovisual services directive.
The commission was originally planned as a commission on the future of the Irish public service broadcasting.
However, his mandate has since been extended to consider the future of all media, print, television and online.
A report is expected to be published within nine months.
Minister Catherine Martin also welcomed the commission and said the Government is determined to chart the way forward to ensure an energetic public service broadcaster that informs, entertains and reflects us as a people.
He said he looked forward to receiving recommendations on how to protect and improve independent journalism, as well as making sure creative artists have the platform to showcase our culture.
Members of the Future of Media Commission
President of the Commission, Professor Brian MacCraith, former president of Dublin City University.
Sinéad burke, Director of Tilting the Lens, writer and academic active in social networks, and member of the Council of State.
Alan Rusbridger, Chairman 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 academic training 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 (Theater, Film and Television Studies), University of Glasgow.
Mark Little, CEO and co-founder of Kinzen. Founder of the social news agency Storyful.
Stephen McNamara, Director of Communications, Irish Rugby Football Union.
Dr. Finola Doyle-O’Neill, Broadcast Historian, University College Cork.
* Two other proposed members will be announced subject to confirmation of availability.
In the Dáil, Richard Bruton of Fine Gael said that Covid-19 had underlined the importance of an independent media.
Labor Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said good journalism has never been more important to hold people to account.
However, he said there has been a shift from political commentators to political advisers because journalism does not pay well and the hours are not reasonable.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said quality public service and journalism were essential.
He said there is ample evidence that highly capable professionals move from the media to the political space and that we must ask why.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists has criticized the commission’s terms of reference and its composition.
NUJ Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley said: “We are surprised and deeply disappointed that the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Minister for Media, Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Gaeltacht find it acceptable to appoint a commission that lacks union representation. and you have no obvious experience in the printing industry.
“We are now formally requesting that the NUJ be included in the composition of the commission and that the membership be expanded to include experience drawn from the regional press sector.”
In a statement, RTÉ welcomed the commission’s announcement and “the recognition given to the vast and vital role played by both the public and commercial media in Ireland, which is more important now than ever.”
RTÉ said it “looks forward to” working with the commission in the coming weeks and months to create a sustainable future for public service media and journalism in Ireland. “
News Brands Ireland, which represents news publishers, said it welcomed the commission, but was disappointed by what it called a lack of people with direct news publishing experience and called for the role and influence of digital search engines are included in the terms of reference
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