Bill to tackle cyber bullying progresses

A new bill, designed to tacking cyber bullying among online safety issues, has passed committee stage.

The Select Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, chaired by Cavan-Monaghan TD Deputy Niamh Smyth, has completed its consideration of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022.

The purpose of the Bill is to make amendments to the Broadcasting Act, 2009, in order to provide for the establishment of a new regulator, a multi-person Coimisiún na Meán and dissolve the existing regulator, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

It also aims to provide for the implementation of (EU) Directive 2018/1808, also referred to as the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive, to provide for an updated regulatory framework for broadcasting and on-demand audiovisual media services and for a new regulatory framework for online safety. It will also provide the Coimisiún na Meán with the powers and functions to appropriately apply and enforce the new and updated regulatory frameworks.

Following Committee Stage consideration of the Bill by the Select Committee on October 25-26, some significant amendments to the Bill were agreed.

Speaking on the completion of the Committee’s consideration of the Bill, Deputy Smyth said the Committee was “very pleased” with the progress made to date of this important piece of legislation. “This legislation forms a key component in the on-going tackling of cyber-bullying. The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill is an important step forward in the regulation of media and online services in Ireland and across Europe. In particular, through Coimisiún na Meán it will provide for the creation of robust and adaptable regulatory frameworks. In this regard, the Bill sits within a wider EU legislative context, including the Digital Services Act, which forms part of the EU Digital Services Package.”