19th July 2023
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, together with the Minister of State with responsibility for Digital Transformation, Dara Calleary TD, today announced the intention to appoint John Evans as Digital Services Commissioner in Coimisiún na Meán with effect from 24 July 2023.
Mr Evans will join the Executive Chair and three Commissioners in Coimisiún na Meán, the new media regulator established earlier this year. Coimisiún na Meán will act as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA is a landmark set of rules that will regulate the way digital platforms deal with harmful and illegal content, and will be fully applicable from February next year.
Mr Evans will lead the establishment of the Digital Services Coordinator function in Coimisiún na Meán and work closely with the Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, in developing a new regulatory regime for online safety in Ireland.
The Digital Services Commissioner will formally take up his duties on 24 July 2023.
Speaking today, Minister Catherine Martin said:
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of John Evans as Commissioner for Digital Services in Coimisiún na Meán. The DSA represents further progress in the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework to protect people online. The appointment of Mr Evans is another milestone in the expansion of Coimisiún na Meán in preparation for taking on additional online safety and digital regulation functions.”
Speaking today, Minister Dara Calleary said:
“This is an important appointment. As the Digital Services Commissioner, Mr Evans will take the lead in building our Digital Services Coordinator function within Coimisiún na Meán. This will be crucial for the creation of a safer and more open digital space for all users where illegal content is more likely to be identified and removed. Ireland has a particularly important role in enforcing digital regulation and this appointment is another step forward in equipping Coimisiún na Meán to be ready for the entry in to force of the Digital Services Act in February next year.”
Speaking about this new appointment, Executive Chair of Coimisiún na Meán, Jeremy Godfrey said:
“I warmly welcome John to the team that leads Coimisiún na Meán. It is time for platforms to take greater responsibility for protecting users from harmful and illegal online content. The DSA, along with our other online safety powers, will be critical to Coimisiún na Meán’s aim of creating a thriving, safe and diverse online environment for the benefit of users in Ireland and across the EU. Our online safety commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, will work closely with John to lead our work in this area.”
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