New online safety laws welcomed but campaigners say 'major gaps' remain

Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance said the legislation “has the potential to be groundbreaking” but there were still 'major gaps' that needed to be addressed, particularly concerning the current lack of an individual complaints mechanism. File picture

A new Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Bill may be “landmark legislation” that influences EU law and has been broadly welcomed by campaigners.

The OSMR bill would establish a new regulator called the Media Commission which will replace the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and will include a new position of online safety commissioner.