"A new era of accountability for online safety" - Mayo TD
A Mayo TD has welcomed government approval on the publication of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.
Deputy Alan Dillon said: “This bill presents an opportunity for government to put in place measures that will make the digital space a safer one for children and young people.
"This set of new proposed laws marks a watershed moment as we move from self-regulation to an era of accountability by platforms for online safety.
“One of the most important aspects of the Bill is the establishment of a new regulator, a multi-person Media Commission which will replace the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which currently regulates radio and television broadcasters and will transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive.
"The commission will be responsible for overseeing updated regulations for broadcasting and video on-demand services such as Netflix and the new regulatory framework for online safety created by the bill.
"As a member of the Media Commission, an Online Safety Commissioner will oversee this regulatory framework for online safety
“As part of the framework, the commissioner will devise binding online safety codes that will set out how regulated online services, including certain social media services, are expected to deal with certain defined categories of harmful online content on their platforms.
“The defined categories of harmful online content include criminal material, serious cyber-bullying material and material promoting self-harm, suicide and eating disorders.”
“The Online Safety Commissioner will have a range of powers to ensure compliance, including the power to require the provision of information, to appoint authorised officers to conduct investigations and to sanction non-compliant online services, including through financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover.”
“The Media Commission will regulate television and radio broadcasters and video on-demand services.
The regulations that apply to these services will be set out in media codes and rules and will address issues such as programme standards, advertising, sponsorship, product placement, accessibility and other matters.
“Given the importance of the commission, the government has also approved its establishment on an administrative basis prior to the enactment of the bill.
"While the commission will ultimately be funded through levies on regulated services €5.5 million was secured in Budget 2022 for start-up funding to allow the Commission hit the ground running.
“As vice-chairperson on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports and Medi, I am pleased that the bill incorporates the majority of the 33 recommendations published within the pre-legislative scrutiny report of the general scheme of the bill."
Deputy Dillon concluded by acknowledging Minister O’ Gorman’s intent to review the recommendation of the committee relating to provision of an individual complaints mechanism for harmful online content and establish an expert advisory group to consider the complex practical and legal issues associated with the recommendations and report back within 90 days.