The Future of Media Commission held its inaugural meeting today, 29 October 2020.
The Commission’s remit is to examine how public service aims can be delivered and sustainably funded through the broadcasting, print and online media in Ireland over the next 10 years, while ensuring that independent editorial oversight is maintained and Ireland’s creative and cultural sectors are supported.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Professor Brian MacCraith, commented:
“I am delighted that the important work of the Commission is now underway. The Commission members bring a very wide range of expertise and experience to the challenge, and I look forward to working with them and other stakeholders over the coming months”.
Yesterday, the Government finalised membership of the Commission with the appointment of an additional member, Siobhan Holliman. Ms Holliman, who is Deputy Editor of The Tuam Herald and a member of the Press Council of Ireland, is a journalist with more than 20 years’ experience working in regional broadcasting and newspapers.
The Commission is due to report in 9 months’ time to the Taoiseach and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin.
In a message marking the inaugural meeting of the Commission, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD thanked the members for their commitment, remarking that “A sustainable, independent, and objective media landscape plays a critical role in the functioning of democracy and it is important for us to examine how it can be funded into the future. I look forward to receiving the Commission’s recommendations next year.”
Minister for Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD wished the Commission well, saying
“The Commission has a remit to chart the path for the future of media in Ireland in a way that supports informed public discourse and provides platforms for our language, culture, creative arts and sport.”
Note for Editors:
The final membership of the Commission is as follows:
Chair 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 media, and member of the Council of State
Alan Rusbridger, Chair 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 an academic background 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 (Theatre, Film and Television Studies), University of Glasgow
Mark Little, CEO and co-Founder of Kinzen. Founder of social news agency, Storyful
Stephen McNamara, Director of Communications, Irish Rugby Football Union
Dr Finola Doyle-O’Neill, Broadcast Historian, University College Cork.
Siobhan Holliman, Deputy Editor of the Tuam Herald, member of the Press Council and joint Cathaoirleach of the Irish Executive Council of the NUJ.
For further information:
Contact Government Information Services, press.office@taoiseach.gov.ie or visit www.futureofmediacommission.ie