Navan academic appointed to Future of Media Commission

Navan native Sinead Burke has a been appointed to the Future of Media Commission established today by Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.

The writer, teacher and academic will be a member on the panel designed to look at the future landscape of public service media and will also include experts in public service media, independent journalism, social media, new technology platforms, media economics, culture, language, creative content, governance and international best practice.

The Commission will be chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, former President of Dublin City University.

Welcoming the establishment of the Commission, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said:

A strong, independent media structure is critical for Ireland’s cultural, sporting, creative and political life. People rely on newspapers, tv, radio and online platforms to find out about local and national issues, to inform them about current affairs, to showcase our culture, to reach out to our diaspora, and to bring the nation together at times of national celebration and reflection. Irish media outlets have always reflected the core principles of objectivity and independence, and at a time when disinformation is on the rise, sustainable and impartial journalism has never been more important.

The Future of Media Commission will chart a pathway for public service broadcasting and independent media into the future, and I am particularly pleased that Professor Brian Mac Craith, who has been an innovator in education and is a pre-eminent intellectual in Irish public life, has taken on the role of Chairperson. We need to examine how public service objectives can be funded in a way that is sustainable, ensures independent editorial oversight and delivers value for money to the public, and I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Commission on this and all aspects of its terms of reference.

Caithfimid ár gcraoltóirí poiblí a thacú ar bonn inmharthana ionas go mbeidh ardán d’ár gcultúr, d’ár dteanga, is d’ár sport don todhcaí.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin TD also welcomed the establishment of the Commission, saying:

The media landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. Traditional broadcasters and newspapers are facing new and increased pressures. The Government is determined to chart the way forward so that we can continue to have an energetic public service broadcaster that informs, entertains and reflects us as a people, and delivers value for money. Given their distinguished backgrounds in journalism, broadcasting, creative arts and academia, I am confident the Members of the Commission will bring the right blend of expertise, experience and energy to their work. I look forward to receiving their recommendations on how we can protect and enhance independent journalism, and ensure our creative artists have the platform to showcase our culture to the country and the wider world.

Professor Brian MacCraith commented: "I am very pleased to be appointed as Chair of the Future of Media Commission, and I look forward to working with my fellow Commission members on what is a very important public policy challenge and one that is very important for the quality and wellbeing of our shared society.

Members of the Future of Media Commission

Chair of the Commission, Professor Brian MacCraith, former President of Dublin City University

Sinéad Burke, Director of Tilting the Lens, writer and academic active in social media, and member of the Council of State

Alan Rusbridger, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, and former Editor-in-Chief of Guardian News and Media

Lynette Fay, freelance broadcaster (broadcasting as Gaeilge and in English on BBC Radio Ulster) with an academic background in applied communications

Nuala O’Connor, co-founder of South Wind Blows, writer and documentary filmmaker in the areas of music and the Arts

Gillian Doyle, Professor of Media Economics (Theatre, Film and Television Studies), University of Glasgow

Mark Little, CEO and co-Founder of Kinzen. Founder of social news agency, Storyful

Stephen McNamara, Director of Communications, Irish Rugby Football Union

Dr Finola Doyle-O’Neill, Broadcast Historian, University College Cork.