Aoife MacEvilly

The media watchdog has completed the process of updating its regulations to implement changes under the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022.

Under the 2022 Act, Coimisiún na Meán is empowered to develop codes and rules which apply to video-on-demand providers as well as television and radio broadcasters established in Ireland.

The AVMSD provides for minimum standards and obligations that video-on demand providers and television broadcasters must adhere to in a variety of areas, including child safety, the accessibility of their services, and the prohibition of content that incites hatred.

The 2022 Act establishes the regulatory framework for these services and for radio broadcasters.

Aoife MacEvilly, broadcasting and video-on-demand Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said: “To ensure a thriving and safe media landscape for Ireland, it is crucial that the Codes and Rules which apply to broadcasters and now, for the first time, to video-on-demand service providers are up-to-date and in-line with EU regulations.

“We have been engaging with media service providers in recent months and following the conclusion of our public consultations, are happy to have published nine sets of Codes and Rules which are now in effect.”

The nine regulations published include a new audiovisual on-demand media service code and rules, marking the first time that video-on-demand (VOD) services have been subject to formal regulatory oversight by Coimisiún na Meán. These new codes and rules were developed following a public consultation which concluded in August 2024.

The other existing codes and rules have undergone updates to comply with the AVMSD, including the code of programme standards, the access rules for television broadcasters, and the general commercial communications code. These codes and rules were updated following a public consultation which concluded in October 2024.

In 2025, Coimisiún na Meán will commence the work required to update the codes and rules based on feedback received as part of the consultation process which took place this year.