Insight Report 2023-2025
We’ve been receiving broadcasting and video-on-demand complaints from the public since our establishment in March 2023. Now, we’ve compiled an Insights Report for complaints received and decided on between 2023 and the end of 2025.
Below we outline some of the key findings.
What services are people complaining about?
97% of complaints made by the public relate to content on radio and TV broadcasters.
Since March 2023, the majority of complaints related to radio and TV programmes, while only 3% were about content on a video-on-demand (VOD) service.
Complaints by service type – Radio 56%, TV 41%, Video-on-demand 3%
The right to make complaints about content on a VOD service, such as the RTÉ Player, Seinnteoir TG4, Apple TV and Virgin Media Player, was brought into law in 2023. For more information, visit our Something I saw on TV, on-demand or heard on radio section.
What content are people complaining about?
77% of complaints were about news and current affairs. Common concerns were ‘fairness’, ‘bias’ and ‘accuracy’.
Members of the public can complain about the following types of content:
- News & current affairs: News programming is generally fact-based reporting on new and noteworthy events. Current affairs content focuses on and includes discussion and analysis of issues of current public debate or controversy.
- General programming standards: General programming content must not cause undue offence, harm, incitement to hatred or violence, or incitement to or promotion of crime. General programming standards also relate to privacy, protection of the public interest and respect for persons and groups in society. They also apply to news and current affairs.
- Commercial communications & Advertising: There are general standards for commercial communications as well as advertising time limits, and standards around political and religious advertising, sponsorship and product placement.
Complaints by content type – Current affairs 51%, News 26%, General programming 20%, Commercial communications 3%
No valid complaints were received about Access Services or advertising time limits. Viewers and listeners have a right to complain about Access Services. This could include the provision of programming with subtitling, Irish Sign Language and/or Audio Description.
Complaints handling process
Each complaint goes through three distinct stages as outlined below:
1: Validity
When a complaint is received, an initial review is carried out to ensure all relevant information is included. It is then escalated to the Commission (the decision-making body of Coimisiún na Meán).
2. Commission review
The Commission considers all material relevant to the complaint, and decides whether to refer or dismiss it. Referrals to the broadcaster / VOD provider encourage complaint resolution at source.
3. Decision to investigate
The Commission considers all material relevant to the complaint, and decides whether to refer or dismiss it. Referrals to the broadcaster / VOD provider encourage complaint resolution at source.
How to make a complaint
186 complaints were accepted and decided upon during the reporting period.
100% of complaints received within the reporting period were about content standards.
- For full details on how to make a complaint, visit our Something I saw on TV, on-demand or heard on radio section.
- If you have difficulty accessing an audiovisual media service, visit our Difficulty accessing an audiovisual media service section.