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The Future of Media Commission has been asked by the Government to examine how public service aims can be delivered and sustainably funded through broadcasting, print and online media in Ireland over the next decade, while ensuring that independent editorial oversight is maintained and Ireland’s creative and cultural sectors are supported. The Commission has been tasked with making recommendations on how best to set the sector on a sound footing for the future.

The Commission is continuing its public engagement activities with the second in a series of online thematic dialogues, this Thursday 11 February, at 15:30. 

Prof. Brian MacCraith, Chair of the Future of Media Commission said, “The media in Ireland provide services that are of critical importance for our society, our democracy and our culture. Public engagement in the debate about the future will help inform the Commission about what the public really values and how people in Ireland see the future of the media. We invite everyone to take part.”

Thursday’s dialogue will consider the benefits for communities from public service media and public service content providers.  It will also look at the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly those presented by new technologies for a vibrant, sustainable, accessible and equitable media landscape.

The speakers at Thursday’s event will be

• Dee Forbes, Director General of RTÉ
• Peter Feeney, the Press Ombudsman on behalf of the Press Council
• Jack Byrne, Chair of the Coordinating Committee of Craol, Community Radio Ireland

• Seamus Dooley, National Union of Journalists
• Dearbhail McDonald, Author, Broadcaster and member of the Equality Expert Group
• Bob Hughes, Local Ireland, which represents regional newspapers in Ireland
• Adrián Acosta, TheJournal.ie
• Dualta Ó Broin, Facebook; and
• Prof Colleen Murrell, Dublin City University

NOTE FOR EDITORS

Programme for Thematic Dialogue

If you would like to attend the event simply go to www.futureofmediacommission.ie where you can see the full programme and register.

15:30    Introductions. Prof. Brian MacCraith, Chair, Future of Media Commission

15:35 Panel 1: What do stakeholders, including the public, see as the benefits that Public Service Media and Public Service Content Providers provide for the communities they serve? What can they do to better serve communities and support social cohesion and democracy?

• Dee Forbes, RTÉ
• Peter Feeney, Press Council
• Jack Byrne, Craol, Community Radio Ireland Questions and Answers with Panel 1 16:15 Panel 2. What are the challenges and opportunities for public service media and public service content providers in Ireland?

• Seamus Dooley, NUJ
• Dearbhail McDonald, Author, Broadcaster and member of the Equality Expert Group
• Bob Hughes, Local Ireland Questions and Answers with Panel 2 16:55 Panel 3. What are the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies for a vibrant, sustainable, accessible and equitable media landscape? 

• Adrián Acosta, TheJournal.ie
• Dualta Ó Broin, Facebook
• Prof Colleen Murrell, DCU Questions and Answers with Panel 3 17:35 Conclusion