Putting truth and integrity at the heart of the General Election

Disinformation and divisive rhetoric have weakened public trust. This election is a chance to change course and rebuild confidence through integrity in public messaging.

As a positive step towards empowering journalists to combat the influence of social media, Coimisiún na Meán has recently replaced the longstanding Broadcast Moratorium with a new Additional Care Requirement for broadcasters. This change, which PRII advocated for, better reflects today’s media landscape and addresses the rising threat of disinformation. The updated guidelines will provide broadcasters with clear direction on delivering fair, objective and impartial election coverage, equipping them to face the unique challenges of election reporting in the digital age.

Candidates, communicators and voters alike play a role in demanding accurate information and responsible debate. AI-driven content, such as deepfakes, poses additional risks to truth in this election, requiring vigilance from all, particularly media outlets.

Let’s ensure a fair and honest election bolsters support for and participation in our democracy. For more, read PRII President David Geary’s recent commentary in the Irish Examiner.