University of Galway alumnus Rónán Ó Domhnaill has been an unstoppable force in the Irish media landscape from his early days as a journalist with Nuacht, to nine years as An Coimisinéir Teanga, to his current role as Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán.
He gave Cois Coiribe an insight into his role in combatting mis/disinformation, the vital importance of independent journalism, and working with the European Commission in the area of online safety. He explains his positive view of how traditional and digital media can work together, and of the strong role regulation can play in protecting truth, restoring trust in media, and promoting cultural inclusivity. Read on for a fascinating journey through the worlds of media, regulation and Irish-language culture.
Can you tell us about yourself, including your journey from University of Galway student to Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán?
From 1994 to 1999, I attended University of Galway – University College Galway (UCG), as it was then known – and earned a BA in English, Sociology & Politics. When I reflect on my time at University of Galway, joining the Cumann Dramaíochta, an Irish language Drama Society, had a significant impact. I spent a lot of time there with my friends, attending different festivals, and acting in plays. I really enjoyed my experience in the English, Sociology & Politics programme. I also pursued an MA in Philosophy (Irish studies) but ultimately ended up taking on an immediate role at TG4 as a journalist for their news service.
As a part of that position, a year later I relocated to Dublin and worked as Gaeilge for the Nuacht Newsroom in RTÉ and TG4. In 2004, I transitioned to English reporting for the Political Unit, then in 2006 I took on a post as a political correspondent, again working with Nuacht, this time in Leinster House, where I stayed for eight years, up until 2014.
It was my dream job; I always wanted to be a political journalist. I have many great memories in Leinster House; however, I also remember the troubling times. When the recession hit in 2008, the International Monetary Fund came to town, and from up close, I could see the effect it had on the public but equally on many politicians. The pressure was immense, and at times difficult to witness. That being said, there were some incredibly exciting times, like travelling with various Taoisí to different countries, visiting places I wouldn’t normally have had the chance to see. Being present when key decisions were being announced was a privilege as a journalist. Journalism is a noble profession – having the opportunity to witness significant events around the world and report on them is a very important function.
At the end of this run, in 2014, I was delighted to be appointed as the Language Commissioner/An Coimisinéir Teanga. This was a completely new challenge, but I was ready for it. It was a time of significant growth, where I developed new skills, embraced new ways of working, and honed my leadership and management skills.
Most recently, in 2023, Coimisiún na Meán was established. With my strong passion for media and media development, I saw the advertisement for the role of Media Development Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán, and I immediately seized this opportunity. The role included elements of the Irish language, which I felt perfectly merged my previous experiences as a journalist and as An Coimisinéir Teanga. Now, two years on, it’s busy but immensely rewarding, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the challenge.
What are Coimisiún na Meán’s key priorities when developing and regulating Ireland’s media landscape, particularly with the rise of digital platforms and AI-driven content?
Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) is a diverse and dynamic organisation, dedicated to online safety in Ireland and in Europe, and the regulation, development, and funding of media in Ireland. My primary responsibility is to oversee media funding and development, which includes managing the Sound & Vision Scheme, in which 7% of the licence fee is used to fund and/or subsidise programmes that might not otherwise be produced. This allotment is a continuation of a fund that was set up as part of the Broadcasting Act 2009, run by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, with an estimated annual value of €20 million. More broadly, 25% of this fund is allocated annually to Irish language programming. The funding supports the aim of providing diversity in content and ensuring that programmes reflect the full spectrum of our society. It helps create a pluralistic view of who we are, catering to all sections of society, and ensuring that programmes are available across various platforms.
CnaM also provides a regulatory role, overseeing broadcasting, commercial radio, community radio, public service broadcasters, and public service content providers. They must all be regulated and monitored to ensure compliance, and this responsibility is a key part of the organisation’s operations. What’s interesting is that, on one hand, we’re funding projects, and on the other hand, we’re responsible for ensuring compliance and regulation. This dual role offers a broad scope but requires clear management and delineation to ensure the organisation operates effectively.
In addition, we have a significant role in regulating online safety in Ireland and within a broader European context. This is a very important part of CnaM, and it demonstrates how diverse the work is. With the rise of digital platforms, we have an Online Safety Code in Ireland that online platforms and organisations are expected to adhere to. We are also central to the enforcement of the Digital Services Act, which is the European Union’s efforts to legislate amid the rise of social media and digital platforms.
An interesting aspect from an Irish perspective is that there are 20+ large online platforms in Europe, each with around 45 million monthly users. It is estimated that 13 of these platforms are headquartered in Ireland. Because the Digital Services Act operates on what’s called the ‘country of origin’ principle, a significant portion of the regulation for these platforms falls under CnaM’s remit, in conjunction with the European Commission. This is a major and vast responsibility. What excites me about my role is that I am one of five commissioners, and we work through a collective decision-making process. Understanding that all areas of CnaM are interconnected allows us to make well-informed and effective decisions.
Before joining Coimisiún na Meán, you were Ireland’s Language Commissioner/An Coimisinéir Teanga. How does the Commission work to promote Irish language media and ensure linguistic diversity in broadcasting?
There are many views and approaches when it comes to ensuring linguistic diversity in broadcasting. As mentioned, 25% of funding from the Sound & Vision Scheme is allocated directly to Irish language programming. Alongside establishing codes and regulations in this area, development and promotional work are equally important. Take for example the Sponsorship Scheme and the Sector Learning & Development Scheme: we support organisations such as Oireachtas na Gaeilge for their annual journalism awards, and we also provide training for journalists focused on Irish-language media.
What’s important here is recognising the role of Irish language media as central to Irish society. As Irish is our first official language, I believe it’s essential we support a healthy and thriving Irish-language media landscape in Ireland. One of the key recommendations in the Future of Media Commission report, published three years ago, was to undertake a comprehensive review of the use of Irish in the media landscape. This is under my remit as Media Development Commissioner, and the review is currently underway, with an expected delivery by the end of 2025.
The aim of the review is to assess where the industry currently stands, understand the broader landscape, and determine supports and developments needed in the coming years to ensure it thrives and continues to evolve. It’s worth noting, and from my own perspective and experience, Irish language media has made great strides, with TG4 being a notable example – a channel that didn’t exist when I was a child. The most important thing now is ensuring it continues to grow and develop. In a rapidly changing media landscape, standing still means moving backward, so we need to keep progressing and adapting to this immediate landscape.
Thankfully, the Irish-language media sector isn’t stagnant; it’s moving forward. In our licensing area, where we oversee commercial radio licences, we require commitment in all new contracts that any recommendations from the Irish language review will form part of their services in the future.
We have also seen an increase in the amount of Irish content on RTÉ, which we at CnaM see as a positive aspect for the Irish media landscape. While it’s important that we have a dedicated Irish language station, it’s equally important that the Irish language is heard across the broader media spectrum.
With the prevalence of streaming services and on-demand content, how do you see the future of traditional broadcasting in Ireland?
I find this question interesting, this idea of traditional media versus new media. The implications of this shift are fascinating. Take RTÉ’s strategy, for example – they are focusing heavily on moving into a digital-first sphere, with a strong emphasis on the RTÉ Player in the coming years. I think it’s very much going to be about traditional media upholding and building upon their solid foundations in areas like standards, trust, fact-checking, independent journalism, and ensuring that rich, high-quality, and important work is available on whatever platform people are on. Whether it’s via a traditional broadcasting platform, like RTÉ One, or an online platform, like TikTok, it is vital that content is produced in line with rules and regulations, ensuring independence and impartiality. I think this blend of traditional and digital media, underpinned by strong journalistic standards, can be a very healthy development.
Coimisiún na Meán recently awarded €8.6m of funding to broadcasters and independent producers under the Sound & Vision Scheme. What additional strategies has Coimisiún na Meán put in place to support independent journalism in Ireland?
We have a number of strategies in place to support the media landscape. For example, when it comes to traditional local media, such as local newspapers and print media, I think it’s important that agencies like CnaM exist. As society continues to grapple with the issues of disinformation and misinformation, government support for journalism is essential to protect democracy. This need for funding has been fully recognised in the Future of Media Commission report. I don’t think it’s tenable to expect the industry to survive without any support.
The Future of Media Commission report acknowledged this and led to the introduction of new schemes, such as a Local Democracy Journalism Scheme and a District and Circuit Court Reporting Scheme, both coming on stream this year for the first time. This also marks the first time that CnaM has been involved in funding and developing news in Ireland. These are quite important schemes, with a value of €6 million in 2025, and we expect this to rise to around €10 million in 2026, including a scheme for the digital transformation of the industry.
As you know, public trust in media is a key issue worldwide. How do you see Irish media ensuring credibility, diversity, and impartiality to combat misinformation?
Misinformation and disinformation are a challenge for journalism; however, there are effective tools to help tackle them. I wouldn’t be overly pessimistic about the situation, and I’m encouraged by the ongoing efforts that are underway to combat disinformation. There is a growing recognition that it’s an issue that must be addressed, and one approach – though not the only one – is to flood the market with fact-checked, independently verified, and eyewitness-based information.
The best definition of journalism I’ve heard is: ‘I was there. This is what I saw.’
While this is a simplistic view, it encapsulates the core of journalism. By supporting journalism through various schemes, insisting on high standards, and enforcing regulations, we ensure that journalists are well-trained and that their material is properly fact-checked. This helps saturate the market with reliable content. However, we also need to focus on media literacy, and we have various initiatives in place to promote this. One of our projects is an initiative in schools; you can read more about this on our website at www.cnam.ieI think disinformation is something we shouldn’t fear but rather acknowledge as part of the environment in which we operate. It’s a challenge that we must confront head-on. I believe that there is a growing recognition that self-regulation hasn’t been effective, and that regulation is needed. CnaM is committed to ensuring that the media landscape in Ireland remains pluralistic, offering a wide range of options and viewpoints based on facts, underpinned by solid regulations and rules.
At CnaM, our Online Safety Code and the Digital Services Act recognise that regulation is central to combatting disinformation. Misinformation and disinformation are a challenge for journalism; however, there are effective tools to tackle them, and the legislation supports this.
In this rapidly changing and evolving regulatory landscape, the challenge for CnaM is to remain adaptable and ready to respond to change. We are a relatively young agency – just two years in the making – and already we have established supervisory, investigatory, and compliance teams, all of which will have impact on this industry. It’s not just happening from an Irish perspective, but within a broader European context, providing crucial support.
You served as Ireland’s Language Commissioner, and you also played a key role in strengthening the Official Languages Act. What are the biggest obstacles to increasing Irish-language media output? How can they be addressed?
As Media Development Commissioner, the development of Irish-language media falls under my remit. I think that one of the key challenges is an understanding across society about the role and purpose of Irish language media. It’s multifaceted, and I believe what is produced in the Irish language should be of just as high quality – if not higher – than anything produced in English. Ireland has a strong reputation for high-quality production, and that is crucial when measuring success.
However, we must be careful about how we define or measure success and avoid comparing Irish-language media to English-language media based purely on viewership or listenership numbers. While the English-speaking audience is inclusive of everyone in Ireland, the Irish-speaking audience is relatively small, with an estimated 70,000 daily speakers outside the education system.
When evaluating success, it’s important to look at factors like cultural relevance, plurality, diversity, pride, and uniqueness – essentially, how well Irish-language media reflects who we are as people and recognises the status of Irish as the first official language. This also includes education of children and fostering a deeper connection with our heritage. The sense that success in Irish language media is about more than just metrics – it’s about cultural impact.
Final question: if you could implement one major change in Ireland’s media landscape, what would it be and why?
The media landscape is vast and diverse. It spans everything from online platforms to local and community radio, with contributors ranging from volunteers who’ve been at it for 40 or 50 years to paid professionals working in various roles and positions. With something so broad and interconnected, no single change can drastically change the industry. Everything is interlinked.
I think ongoing investment, understanding, and the continued development of the role of media is important. There are so many different areas that, when brought together, can support this. It’s too complex an issue to pinpoint one major change. Instead, it’s about linking all aspects to create a more rounded approach, which is already happening.
We live in a diverse society, and as broadcasting becomes easier and more accessible, there is less of an entry barrier to reach audiences online. It’s important that all voices are heard, ensuring we remain an open, democratic society that welcomes people and cultures. It’s my opinion that this inclusivity should extend beyond just broadcasting and the media landscape – it’s something that should be embraced across all aspects of society.
Profiles
Rónán Ó Domhnaill is from An Cheathrú Rua in the Connemara Gaeltacht and is the Commissioner for Media Development with the regulatory and media promotion body Coimisiún na Meán since its establishment in 2023. He held the position of Official Languages Commissioner from 2014 – 2023. Prior to this, Rónán spent 16 years as a journalist, political correspondent, and political news presenter with RTÉ, providing reports for Nuacht TG4 and RTÉ News.
As the Commissioner for Media Development, Rónán oversees funding initiatives for the media sector in Ireland, sectoral development and training for the industry and media literacy outreach. He is also responsible for implementing many of the recommendations in the Future of Media Commission Report, including a Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy for the media sector in Ireland, a comprehensive Review of the provision of Irish language in media in Ireland, a Sports Broadcasting Policy, North South media initiatives and the roll out of a carbon calculator for the media.
As Official Languages Commissioner, he advocated for strengthening language legislation in Ireland and expressed to the government, political parties, Oireachtas committees, and various other stakeholders the need for strong legislation. The amended Official Languages Act, passed in December 2021, ensures a significant increase in language rights for the public and places comprehensive obligations on public bodies regarding the provision of state services in Irish.
Rónán was formerly chairperson of the Irish Ombudsman Forum, the Irish representative on the Executive Board of the Ombudsman Association, and chair of the International Association of Language Commissioners. In addition to his BA from University of Galway, Rónán holds an MA in Leadership & Strategy and a Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Institute of Public Administration.
