Journalists Matter, Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists
The Council of Europe encourages member states to transpose the Campaign to the national context. Without each member’s committed and effective effort at national level, through the development of the so-called ‘national chapter’, the Campaign cannot reach its goals.
In this section, we will present developments in Ireland:
National Focal Point
Ms Leah KIERAN, Media Policy, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
National Campaign Committee
In 2022, a Media Engagement Group (MEG) was established, with the aim of protecting media freedom by ensuring media personnel operating in the State are as safe as possible and feel safe in their employment. The MEG was established, and is chaired, by the an Garda Síochána (Ireland’s police force) and, in line with the European Commission’s Recommendation on the Safety of Journalists, provides an important forum for collaboration between media personnel, the an Garda Síochána, and Government Departments. The MEG provides media representatives with an opportunity to raise and discuss incidents involving media personnel and highlight any emerging issues or trends as they arise.
Meetings of the MEG are convened quarterly or extraordinary meetings of the group may be called if necessary and required, particularly if a matter requires urgent attention or escalation.
The formation of a new national chapter has not been considered necessary as it would potentially duplicate the existing work of the MEG, which has only recently been established and has been functioning well to date.
Safety of Journalists national landscape
The overall climate for press freedom in Ireland is positive, with journalists able to work freely and without interference. Concerns remain, however, about the future funding of the media, including public service broadcaster RTÉ. On occasion, Irish journalists have reported that their safety has been threatened by criminal groups, but no significant cases have been reported in recent years. There are some concerns about attacks on journalists on social media.
Interviewing police sources has been virtually impossible since the Garda Siochana Act of 2005, which prohibits law enforcement from speaking to journalists without prior authorisation, under penalty of dismissal, a fine or up to seven years in prison.
Ireland, National chapter
