Coimisiún na Meán Publishes Its Strategy Statement 2025–2027

The Irish Media Commission (CnaM) has released its Strategy Statement for 2025–2027, outlining its strategic vision for the media landscape over the next three years. This Strategy highlights (1) the six key strategic outcomes towards which CnaM intends to progress in this three-year period; (2) the six delivery tools which it will deploy to achieve these outcomes; (3) its five delivery enablers to support the realisation of its vision; and (4) the implementation framework for delivery of the Strategy Statement between now and 2027. A key emphasis in the Strategy Statement is aligning with European regulatory frameworks and a commitment to an inter-regulatory approach at Irish and EU level.

Strategic Outcomes for the Media Landscape

CnaM's strategy is built around six strategic outcomes aimed at shaping the media landscape:

1. Children: In this regard, CnaM specifically calls out the primacy of the “rights and best interests of the child”. In doing so, it aligns with the European Commission's Article 28 DSA Guidelines Call for Evidence, indicating some cohesion in the national and EU-level approach to safeguarding children’s rights online.
2. Democracy: Ensuring that the media supports democratic values and processes.
3. Trust: Building and maintaining trust in the media through transparent and accountable practices.
4. Diversity & Inclusion: Promoting a diverse and inclusive media environment.
5. Irish Culture and Media: Supporting and fostering Irish culture and media.
6. Public Safety: Prioritising public health and safety in media-related activities.

Delivery Tools to Support the Strategy

To realise these outcomes, CnaM will focus on six key delivery tools:

1. Holding Regulated Entities to Account: This involves periodic reviews of content and commercial communication codes, a risk-based approach to supervision, and enforcement actions where necessary. CnaM aims to support compliance through guidance and educational programmes.
2. Playing a Leading Role in the European Regulatory Framework: CnaM commits to active participation in the development of EU digital and media legislation, signposting its intention to be recognised for the strength of its regulatory actions and the effectiveness, fairness and transparency of its approach.
3. Empowering and Supporting the Public: This delivery tool includes initiatives to enhance public understanding and engagement with media regulation.
4. Supporting and Developing the Irish Media Sector: CnaM aims to bolster the local media industry through various support mechanisms.
5. Collaborating and Cooperating for Impact: CnaM indicates its intent to seek out strategic partnerships and coordination with other regulators and statutory bodies, specifically calling out An Garda Síochána, An Coimisiún Toghcháin (the Electoral Commission) and other members of the Irish Digital Regulators Group (the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Commission for Communications Regulation and the Data Protection Commission).
6. Research and Future Focus: CnaM intends to facilitate research by vetted researchers to better understand, in particular, the rights and interests of children and consumers.

Delivery Enablers and Implementation Framework

CnaM's strategy is underpinned by five delivery enablers: leadership and governance, people and organisation, processes, systems and data, communications, and sustainability. To ensure effective implementation, CnaM has developed a framework that includes publishing an annual work programme, monitoring progress, adapting to changing circumstances, and reporting on outcomes and effectiveness in subsequent strategy statements.

Conclusion 

CnaM's Strategy Statement 2025–2027 represents a strong commitment to aligning with European regulatory standards and enhancing the inter-regulatory landscape in Ireland, which we are also seeing taking root at EU level, particularly in relation to the approach to children as users of digital services.

Also evident in the Strategy Statement is a clear enforcement message, with CnaM unambiguously stating its intention to be known for the strength of its enforcement and to take enforcement action as may be necessary.

Written by: Shauna Joyce, Senior Associate; Deirdre Kilroy, Partner