Minister Martin announces new members of Coimisiún na Meán

Catherine Martin has announced her intention to appoint new members of Coimisiún na Meán after the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act 2022 was signed into law at the end of last year.

Jeremy Godfrey will take on the role of Executive Chairperson; Niamh Hodnett will be appointed as Online Safety Commissioner; Rónán Ó Domhnaill as Media Development Commissioner and Celene Craig as Broadcasting Commissioner.

Following the commencement of the new OSMR Act by the Minister, it will dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and establish Coimisiún na Meán as the body responsible for overseeing the regulation of broadcasting and video-on-demand services.

It will introduce the new regulatory framework for online safety, implementing the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive into Irish law and for supporting the development of the wider media sector in Ireland.

The Executive Chairperson and Commissioners will take up their duties in mid-February, following an open competition for the roles run by the Public Appointments Service.

“Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic transformation in the way in which we view, read and listen to media content, whether on television, radio or over the internet," Minister Martin said. "In particular, there has been an explosion in the amount of user-generated content that we all encounter online.

"In response to these changes, the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 will establish a new body, Coimisiún na Meán, to oversee a comprehensive new regulatory framework for traditional broadcasting services, video-on-demand services and, for the first time, for online services. Coimisiún na Meán will also be responsible for implementing many of the recommendations made by the Future of Media Commission."

The Green Party TD added that the safety of children is imperative in the move.

"Coimisiún na Meán will be central to safeguarding all of us, and in particular children, as we interact with and use online spaces. It will also have a central role in ensuring the media sector here in Ireland remains viable, independent and capable of delivering public service objectives by implementing many of the recommendations made by the Future of Media Commission. Jeremy, Niamh, Rónán and Celene will bring a wealth of professional experience and regulatory expertise to their roles," Minister Martin concluded.

Jeremy Godfrey released a statement on his upcoming role as Executive Chairperson of Coimisiún na Meán.

“It is an honour to be appointed. Together with my fellow Commissioners, we aim to ensure a thriving, safe and diverse online and media landscape. In particular, it will be a priority that citizens in Ireland and across the European Union should have a high level of protection from illegal and harmful content," Godfrey said.

"We look forward to putting in place robust and effective regulatory mechanisms, as well as expanded broadcast and media funding schemes, so that we achieve these goals," he continued.

"We look forward to engaging openly and transparently with all stakeholders and to working closely with fellow regulators in Ireland and across the European Union, as well as with the European Commission, as we implement the new regulatory frameworks for online safety and broadcasting.”