Communications Minister Patrick O’Donovan is no longer seeking a review of media coverage of recent fuel protests following a meeting with the media regulator.
As reported by RTÉ today, the Fine Gael minister met with officials from Coimisiún na Meán.
It comes after O’Donovan had previously indicated he would ask the regulator to examine whether coverage of the protests was “balanced or was it skewed” in favour of the fuel protests.
A spokesperson for Coimisiún na Meán outlined to RTÉ how complaints about coverage would be handled under existing legislation.
“An Coimisiún confirmed to the minister (and) said that it would follow up on statutory complaints regarding coverage of the fuel protests, as set out in legislation,” the spokesperson said.
They also confirmed that a number of contacts had already been received from members of the public in relation to recent broadcasts.
“In the first instance, we advise members of the public who wish to complain about broadcast content to complain to the broadcaster concerned,” the spokesperson said.
“If they are unsatisfied with the response they receive from the broadcaster, they can contact Coimisiún na Meán.”
The regulator added that all complaints received would be handled through its standard statutory process.
“All complaints received by An Coimisiún will be processed, as standard under our statutory complaints handling process,” they said.
The development follows criticism of O’Donovan’s earlier remarks, including from the National Union of Journalists, which described the comments as “sinister and deeply disturbing.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris also distanced the Government from the proposal, stating earlier today that there was “no need for any sort of formal review” of media coverage of the protests.
Speaking to Gript this morning ahead of a Cabinet meeting, Harris emphasised the importance of press freedom and the role of journalists during the demonstrations.
“Well, I’m a big supporter of freedom of the media, freedom of the press, as is the government, as is the minister,” he said.
“A free media, a robust media is an absolute vital part of our democracy.”
He also said that journalists had been dealing with a complex and fast-moving situation at the time.
“I think the media, like everybody in this country, were doing their best to deal with a fast-evolving, a very difficult situation,” he said.
The recent fuel protests have involved convoys and road blockades across the country, leading to disruption and wider public debate around protest tactics and media coverage.