The Broadcasting (Amendment) (Protection of Journalism) Bill 2019 was introduced yesterday by Sinn Féin TDs David Cullinane and Seán Crowe.

The legislation has been brought in response to the alleged blacklisting of certain journalists by Communicorp Media, which owns stations including Newstalk, Today FM and Dublin’s 98FM.

Politicians from all political parties, including the Taoiseach, sent a letter to Communicorp in October, calling for an immediate lifting of the two-year-old ban, but Mr Cullinane said it was now “clear that only a change in law will change anything”.

The bill proposes to make it an offence to ban a journalist who is a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) from the airwaves for reason of occupation, employer, company or employment status.

Mr Cullinane said: “As we do not have a legal definition of ‘journalist’ in law, to apply the legislation to journalists more broadly could open broadcasters to the possibility of court cases being taken by any person who uses the label ‘journalist’.

“This could result in frivolous cases being taken that are designed to punish broadcasters for what might be a genuine reason for not including a person on a show. Limiting the scope of the bill to NUJ members creates a certain standard or threshold as to who can or cannot avail of the legislation, if passed.”

Mr Crowe added: “Ireland needs to be a global leader in protecting media freedoms. We need to stand up for media freedom and the rights of journalists at this crucial time for independent reporting. We can start with this bill and ensuring that broadcasting organisations cannot discriminate against journalists simply because of their professional affiliation.

“We cannot sit back and allow the current situation, where journalists from certain newspapers and media companies are banned from appearing on the radio stations of one of the biggest media organisations in the country simply because their multimillionaire owner is angry and upset at the coverage he receives from these newspaper and media companies.

“This is positive and proactive legislation to address discrimination and I call on all Deputies to support it when it comes before the Dáil.”