Press Council Annual Report 2023
It is very easy to succumb to gloom when speaking about the future of the press. Revenues falling, the young turning for news to largely unregulated and demonstrably irresponsible social media platforms, journalists losing their jobs, editors losing their minds.
Meanwhile, a small but vicious cohort of self-declared patriots stirs up hatred and calls it news while harassing real journalists working for what they call the mainstream media. These people use social media platforms to stir up disorder and discord in communities. In 2023 we saw riots in Dublin orchestrated in this way. We have to stand together to challenge the platforms which facilitate this. Last year a DCU study found that 55% of journalists in Ireland had experienced demeaning or hateful speech.
I am so proud as the Press Ombudsperson to support the mainstream media and its many tributaries, and to help it to maintain a trusting relationship with its public. Members of the Press Council of Ireland have signed up to a Code of Practice based on the highest ethical and professional standards, founded in respect for human rights. They have declared their freedom, and they have made themselves accountable to their readers through the independent complaints system my Office runs. They can be trusted.
Here is what public service journalism looks like in action. Earlier this week a courageous woman stood on the steps of Dublin’s Central Criminal Court and said, “My hope is the truth will set me free.” Kathleen Correia was speaking after her ex-husband was jailed for multiple crimes of rape and coercive control against her. She urged other women also to break silences imposed by fear and by cultural victim shaming.
Her powerful words were recorded and reported to us by the journalists and photographers who were there on our behalf. In studios and newsrooms journalists around the country contextualised Ms Correia’s message with interviews with women who run services for survivors of violence against women. They too urged women to escape dangerous relationships. They also used the opportunity to state that politicians must do more, that laws must be tightened, funds made available, cultural change promoted.
A few weeks ago, at the Local Ireland annual press awards I heard a journalist from a local paper, the Cork Evening Echo, describe the series of articles for which he had won an award. He had investigated reports he had heard about a block of local authority flats which had been allowed to fall into serious disrepair, and he had found people forced to live in appalling conditions. As a result of his work with the local community, the local council was forced to take action and repair the flats.
My office gets a relatively modest number of complaints – 305 in 2023 of which just 25 ended up with Press Ombudsman decisions. Some are resolved through the excellent work of my colleague, case manager Bernie Grogan who engages with editors and complainants who want to reach conciliated outcomes rather than going on for formal decisions by the Ombudsman. This includes cases which were they to come to my desk would very likely lead to findings of serious breaches of the Code – for some complainants receiving acknowledgement and or apology is what they need, and if an editor is willing to offer such redress, they are satisfied.
Press Council members take the Code of Practice seriously and try very hard to avoid breaching its principles. Our values also align with those of the National Union of Journalists. However, we cannot be complacent. I am concerned that many people just don’t know about us and what we offer, and my Office will in early 2025 launch a campaign to educate the public about our work.
We will partner with Columbia University and the DART centre to run a seminar on the Freedom of the Press, Ethical Self-Regulation and the Law. We will also partner with the Community Foundation to hold a seminar on journalism, the Press Ombudsman’s Office and working with people who are vulnerable. We are seeing an increased number of complaints about Principle 8 of the Code of Practice which deals with prejudice and the stirring up of hatred. We recognise that it may be difficult for an individual to make a complaint in relation to this and other principles – we want to get the message out that representative groups can make complaints too, and that people can get support with making complaints.
We have appointed Caitrióna Phelan to work with part time on communications. I have started discussions with our Code Committee on carrying out a public consultation on the Code of Practice.
Last year we called on Coimisiún na Meán to recognise membership of the Press Council as a mark of high standards by making it a requirement for publications seeking funding under its local democracy and court reporting schemes, and I am happy to note that the Coimisiún has done so.
I look forward to discussing the European Media Freedom Act and its application in Ireland with the Coimisiún. Our members are particularly concerned that the Code of Practice’s insistence on the right to protect the confidentiality of sources should not be eroded.
I’ve already mentioned my concern with journalistic safety, and now, while addressing the international dimension of my Office’s work, I must add that I was honoured recently to stand with members of the NUJ at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin recently in solidarity with the Palestinian journalists who are bringing us the news of what is happening in Gaza, and who have already seen well over a hundred colleagues and family members targeted and killed by Israeli forces.
Finally, on a cheerful note, I am happy to say that we have today launched the competition for an early career journalist to win the Press Council’s 2024 Fellowship. Full details are on our website. Entrants must write an article about the actual impacts of misinformation and disinformation, and the prize is attendance at the wonderful international journalism festival in Perugia
Susan McKay, 25 October 2024
