2:33 pm - April 29, 2025
News publishers warn outdated laws and AI misuse are threatening the future of the press.
Media leaders have called on the Irish Government to fast-track long-promised defamation reforms, warning that current laws are among the toughest in the world and are stifling journalism.
NewsBrands Ireland urged swift passage of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill, which the Irish government had committed to introducing in the first quarter of 2025. Delays have raised alarm among publishers, who say the existing system imposes excessive legal and financial risks on newsrooms.
“We need to create an environment where journalism can thrive, not one where it is stifled by legal and financial risk,” said Sammi Bourke, chairwoman of NewsBrands Ireland.
The discussion was chaired by Business Post editor Daniel McConnell and included contributions from senior media executives, including Deirdre Veldon of The Irish Times, Paul Henderson of DMG Media Ireland and Frank Mulrennan of Celtic Media Group.
Henderson also raised the alarm over the use of journalistic content to train AI systems without compensation or consent. He described it as “the greatest ongoing heist of intellectual property in history,” and criticised the lack of enforcement of the EU Copyright Directive, which was transposed into Irish law four years ago but has yet to deliver any financial return to publishers.
“Our national communications infrastructure encompasses indigenous websites, newspapers, radio, television and all forms of media that connect us,” he said. “It must be protected, especially in a post-truth world.”
NewsBrands Ireland has also called for changes to the EU’s General-Purpose AI Code, arguing that it fails to ensure transparency or accountability in how AI firms use copyrighted content. It said rightsholders are effectively unable to monitor or control how their work is being exploited.
The group stressed it was not asking for subsidies but for a policy and legal framework that supports fair competition, protects intellectual property and allows journalism to remain viable in a digital-first world.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.arthurcox.com/insights/defamation-reform-back-on-the-legislative-agenda/ – This supports the claim about the Defamation (Amendment) Bill being part of the legislative agenda in Ireland, particularly its inclusion in the Spring 2025 Legislation Programme and its aim to reform defamation laws.
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/22/2024-07496/guidance-for-federal-financial-assistance – This URL is unrelated to the specific claims in the article about defamation or journalism, but it speaks to general legal and regulatory matters.
- https://inforrm.org/2024/08/22/ireland-better-late-than-never-the-defamation-amendment-bill-2024-is-finally-here-eoin-odell/ – This supports details about the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024, including its history and contents like abolishing juries and addressing libel tourism.
- https://www.lawlibrary.ie/viewpoints/mediation-defamation-bill/ – This URL explains how the Defamation (Amendment) Bill encourages Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods like mediation and specifies procedures for resolving defamation claims outside of court.
- https://ec.europa.eu/digital-policy-europa/eu-copyright-reform – This supports the mention of the EU Copyright Directive, which was transposed into Irish law, though it does not explicitly cover financial compensation issues raised by Paul Henderson.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions ongoing legislative efforts and recent events, suggesting it is current. However, specific dates related to the Bill’s enactment are noted, which if outdated, may reduce freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Quotes are attributed to specific figures like Sammi Bourke and Paul Henderson. While these are not verified online, they appear to be original direct quotes from an event, suggesting they are likely to be the first reported usage.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references well-known figures and organisations in the Irish media sector, such as NewsBrands Ireland and The Irish Times, which are generally reliable. However, the exact sources of the event details are not specified.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding the necessity of legal reforms and concerns about AI use align with current industry discussions. The narrative’s focus on policy changes, intellectual property issues, and media sustainability is plausible and consistent with contemporary issues in the media sector.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current, with plausible claims and reliable sources cited. The presence of original direct quotes and the absence of clear inconsistencies contribute to its overall credibility.
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