Media Law

Ireland's new online safety code has been published and will begin to become binding on video-sharing platforms with their EU headquarters in Ireland from next month. The code introduces obligations on video-sharing platforms to protect people, especially children, from harmful video and associated

A judge has rejected an application by the PSNI which sought to force news companies to hand over unbroadcast and unpublished journalistic material. DWF partner Olivia O'Kane acted on behalf of Channel 4 News, ITN, Press Association and UTV in the proceedings before Judge Gordon Kerr QC of the Crown

Coimisiún na Meán has been given new powers to enforce EU laws aimed at tackling online terrorist content. Having been designated as the competent Irish authority under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation (2021/784), Coimisiún na Meán can now impose administrative

A consultation is seeking views on Ireland's implementation of new EU rules aimed at protecting media pluralism and independence. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is leading the national implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is to carry out a full investigation into the proposed acquisition of Donegal's Inishowen Independent newspaper. Formpress Publishing, the owner and operator of a number of local and regional newspaper titles across Ireland, is proposing to p

Former CRU chairperson Aoife MacEvilly has been appointed as commissioner for broadcasting and video on demand in Coimisiún na Meán. Ms MacEvilly, a member of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) since 2014 and its chairperson from 2020 to 2023, will join the executive chai

The High Court has dismissed Reddit's challenge to a decision of Coimisiún na Meán designating it as a video-sharing platform pursuant to the Broadcasting Act 2009 (as amended). Delivering judgment for the High Court, Ms Justice Siobhán Phelan considered that the respondent had

A new simplified procedure for certain media mergers is to be introduced from next month. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has said the new simplified media merger notification procedure will officially commence on Wednesday 10 April 2024.

Coimisiún na Meán has welcomed the imminent application of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which comes fully into force in Ireland and across the EU from tomorrow. The DSA provides new rules for how online services deal with illegal content or apply their own rules.

William Fry partner David Cullen and associate Roisin Culligan analyse the recent SAG-AFTRA deal for those operating in Ireland, in light of its importance as a location for the entertainment industry. Last year, entertainment industry output was hit by a 118-day strike, until eventually a deal was

Reddit has launched High Court proceedings challenging its designation by Coimisiún na Meán as a video-sharing platform. The media regulator recently announced that Reddit and nine other services had been designated as video-sharing platforms which will be bound by the new online safet

Celene Craig is to stand down as Coimisiún na Meán's broadcasting and video-on-demand commissioner in March, the regulator has announced. Ms Craig, a qualified barrister who has spent more than 30 years in media regulation including as CEO of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Northern Ireland's largest newspaper publishers have launched a joint legal challenge to new legislation granting pre-charge anonymity to suspects of sexual offences. Under the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which came into force last September, suspec

A new European Board for Media Services is to be established alongside the introduction of new EU rules on editorial independence and media pluralism. The European Parliament and Council last week reached political agreement on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) proposed by the Commission last Se

New restrictions on alcohol advertising on radio and TV are to come into effect in 2025. Under section 19 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, which will come into force from 10 January 2025, alcohol adverts can't be shown on TV from 3am–9pm or broadcast on radio on a weekday from 3pm&ndas