Oireachtas committee to scrutinise online promotion of criminal acts

The Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 23 September, to conduct a formal review into the prevalence of online material that promotes or encourages criminal activity. This session will feature evidence from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, alongside representatives from Coimisiún na Meán, TikTok, Meta, and Google. The discussion aims to evaluate current strategies used to identify, mitigate, and remove content that glorifies dangerous behaviour, with a specific focus on the rise of footage depicting reckless driving.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Alan Kelly highlighted that the inquiry was prompted by a series of alarming road safety incidents throughout the summer months. The Committee intends to investigate the efficacy of existing safeguards, such as automated detection tools and human moderation processes, while questioning how platforms distinguish between legitimate public-interest reporting and content that actively endangers the public. A primary objective is to ensure that these digital entities are meeting their regulatory obligations, particularly regarding the protection of younger users from harmful influences.

Members will also deliberate on the regulatory framework overseen by Coimisiún na Meán to ensure compliance with national online safety standards. The Committee has emphasised that while freedom of information remains a priority, material that encourages criminality must be addressed with decisive action. Members of the public can view the proceedings live through the official Oireachtas website or by using the dedicated mobile application available for download.