On Monday, 23rd June, EDMO Ireland and Media Literacy Ireland co-hosted the inaugural Disinformation Forum at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. The event marked a key milestone in Ireland’s newly launched National Counter Disinformation Strategy (NCDS) and was supported by the media literacy and user education team at Coimisiún na Meán.
Opening the forum, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD, addressed attendees and welcomed the collaborative spirit of the initiative:
“I am delighted to attend today’s forum on disinformation, hosted by my Alma Mater, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. I would also like to thank the European Digital Media Observatory and Media Literacy Ireland for organising. As acknowledged in the National Counter Disinformation Strategy, ongoing cooperation and collaboration between relevant stakeholders will be essential if we are to overcome the challenges presented by disinformation.”
The National Counter Disinformation Strategy
Seamus Hempenstall, from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, gave an overview of the NCDS, which was published earlier this year following a cross-sectoral consultation. The strategy was developed by a working group representing industry, academia, civil society, and Government Departments, and sets out a comprehensive, whole-of-society response to the growing challenge of disinformation.
Representing EDMO Ireland and DCU FuJo, Dr Eileen Culloty contributed to the development of the strategy and chaired the disinformation forum in her role as coordinator of EDMO Ireland and co-chair of Media Literacy Ireland. She highlighted the importance of a collaborative and educational approach:
“Disinformation is a complex problem with no easy solutions. Media literacy is not about telling people what to think, but helping them make informed choices about the information they consume. This annual forum will review efforts to promote media literacy and identify opportunities to collaborate.”
Martina Chapman, coordinator of Media Literacy Ireland and the independent chair of the NCDS, noted that Commitment 4 of the National Counter Disinformation Strategy highlights the importance fostering media literacy across all age groups, sectors, and communities, which requires collaboration and an evolving understanding of what works in media literacy.
Annual Forum
The forum will be held annually with two core aims. First, to take stock of high-level strategies and policies to counter disinformation through media literacy, featuring contributions from organisations such as EDMO, Media Literacy Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, the Electoral Commission, SOLAS, the Department of Education, and the LGMA library network. Second, each forum will focus on a specific sector with a key role in promoting media literacy.
The 2025 forum shone a spotlight on the local and community media sector, with insightful case study presentations from CRAOL, NewsBrands, and BEAT FM. Future forums will explore other vital sectors such as the voluntary and training sectors, creating opportunities to share learning, identify challenges on the ground, and highlight promising initiatives.
The annual Disinformation Forum represents a shared commitment to empowering citizens, strengthening democratic resilience, and building a more informed public. EDMO Ireland’s role as co-host will also provide a link to EU initiatives – such as EDMO’s work on media literacy standards – and the potential role of monitoring the EU Code of Conduct on Disinformation.
