Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin has today launched Coimisiún na Meán’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

It is the first strategy of its kind in Ireland and will include the collection monitoring and publication of Equality Diversity and Inclusion data by public service media.

There also promises to be a development of EDI standards across the media, along with more diversity education training, and  more equitable employment opportunities.

The new strategy is informed by the recommendations of the Future of Media Commission and by the lived experiences of those working within the Irish media sector.

Ms Martin welcomed the strategy as a key step towards ensuring the media industry is accessible, inclusive and representative of our society.

Speaking at the launch of the Strategy at Coimisiún na Meán’s offices today, Minister Martin commented:

"The issue of gender parity and equality has been, and continues to be, a priority for me as Minister. A diverse and inclusive media sector is essential for our society, for our democracy and for our cultural development. It is vital that our media reflects the many and varied voices of our society".

Continuing the Green Party TD added that: "This strategy represents the first step of a longer-term process to address the far-reaching societal issues we face such as gender equality, the portrayal of negative stereotypes and the barriers to access and opportunity".

Ms Martin also said that the proposed scheme would "Work towards ensuring a more equal media landscape and one which provides a diversity and a plurality of voices to our national discourse, boosts opportunities within the sector and reflects the society it represents”.

Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner added: “The publication today of a Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for the media sector in Ireland is an important step towards ensuring that our audio and audiovisual media sector is accessible, inclusive, diverse and representative of contemporary Ireland.

An Coimisiún will continue to encourage initiatives to enhance the diversity of the media sector in Ireland and through our own sectoral development and funding schemes, will support activities aimed at making the media sector in Ireland more inclusive.’’

The first of its kind for the industry, the strategy will aim to foster a culture of equality and inclusivity in the media and is the result of an extensive programme of work by Coimisiún na Meán over the past number of years incorporating wide consultation with key sectoral representatives.

Key highlights of the Strategy include:

• the collection, monitoring and publication of EDI data by public service media
• the development of EDI standards across media content
• diversity education and training
• more equitable employment opportunities
• greater accessibility in the sector and
• a more accurate representation of Irish society both on-air and off-air