Coimisiún na Meán has today (11.05.2026) published its first Complaints Insights Report, showing that the vast majority (97%) of complaints made by the public about broadcast and on-demand media relate to content on radio and TV broadcasters.
Complaints about content made available on video-on-demand (VOD) services account for less than 3% of complaints. Since 2023, members of the public have had the ability to complain about VOD services such as the RTÉ Player, the TG4 Player (Seinnteoir TG4), Apple TV+ and the Virgin Media Player.
Over three quarters of the complaints made by members of the public related to news and current affairs content. Among the common concerns raised were a failure to adhere to the Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality, citing a ‘lack of balance’, ‘bias’ and ‘inaccuracy’.
Key stats from the Insights Report show that since the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán in March 2023, over half of complaints (56%) relate to radio programmes. Just over 41% of the complaints received related to television content, while only 2.6% of the complaints were about content on a VOD service.
The Report highlights that content about global affairs (26%) and Irish politics and government (18%) attracted the most complaints.
Coimisiún na Meán is also reminding members of the public that they have a right to complain about access services. Audiences are empowered to make a complaint to a television broadcaster if they believe it has failed to meet its obligations under the Access Rules. This could include the provision of programming with subtitling, Irish Sigh Language and/or Audio Description.
Speaking about the Complaints Insights Report, Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner, Aoife MacEvilly said: ‘’Our public complaint handling process for broadcasters and video-on-demand media service providers supports Coimisiún na Meán’s mission to regulate, support and develop a media landscape that underpins fundamental rights, balancing freedom of expression and the editorial independence of media service providers with protecting the interests of the audience, particularly children.
It is really important for people to know that they can complain to us about something they see on a video-on-demand service that we regulate, as well as about content on radio and TV broadcasts.”
Our report informs the public about the volume and types of complaints Coimisiún na Meán has accepted. It aims to support better understanding of our approach to complaint handling and how we decide on complaints. It highlights the important role of the complaints mechanism in holding broadcasters and VOD services to account, which underpins trust in Irish media.”
Members of the public who wish to make complaints about broadcasting or VOD services are encouraged to read the Complaints Insights Report and consult the Coimisiún na Meán website in advance of submitting a complaint. The Report and website provide helpful information on the complaint handling process, and how An Coimisiún decides on individual complaints.
See more information on our complaints process, read our Codes & Rules, or browse the full list of broadcasters and a register of VOD service providers.