In 2021 Bauer Media Group Acquired
Newstalk and
Today FM
Ireland's Commercial Radio Stations
"It remains a fact, as of 2024, in print, radio and television, Irish media markets predominantly lie in foreign hands. The commercial incentives to serve local audiences with at least some local content aside, the status of Bauer Media, Wireless Radio, Virgin Media, Mediahuis, News Ireland, Reach PLC and DMG Media Ireland, as elements of larger international conglomerates means that the Irish market is subject to considerations beyond the immediate political, cultural and commercial needs of Irish audiences. Exactly what the implications of this may be is hard to predict.
Given the critical role of news media in constituting the Irish public sphere then, the influence that the location of ownership has on the corporate priorities of news organisations is a far from trivial matter. This is a quote from media monitor": https://ireland.mom-gmr.org/en/findings/internationalisation-of-media-ownership/
So what is actually going on here in Ireland? Why did our Government in the past few years allow on, an unprecedented scale, the sale of Irish, TV, radio and print media outlets to large foreign media companies? Why was this allowed? We ask the politicians and different department heads who were involved in these sales and aquisitions for answers. Broadcasting Commission, Competition Authority, Ministers for Communications. We ask foreign media companies what need did they have to buy up media on to the scale they have bought, print, TV and radio, media here in our small country? What could it be: greed, political power, or something more sinister? The search for answers is on. Checkout this list of Foreign Owned Media:
Media Ownership Listing
Media Ownership Listing
Media Ownership Listing
Media Ownership Listing
Media Ownership Listing
Media Ownership Listing
Media Ownership Listing
Media Ownership Listing
Political Process
Influence of foreign organisations on democratic processes in the EU
19.3.2025
Priority question for written answer P-001169/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Petr Bystron (ESN)
WikiLeaks has disclosed that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of State channelled approximately USD 472.6 million through the Internews Network, a global media organisation and ‘NGO’.
Internews claims to have collaborated with 4 291 media outlets reaching up to 778 million people globally and reportedly ‘trained’ over 9 000 journalists in 2023.
Considering the US Government’s financial involvement, Internews’ documented support for the censorship of alleged ‘disinformation’ on social media and its ties to George Soros’ globalist Open Society Foundations, concerns arise regarding the independence of European media and democratic political processes.
Given these findings, we would like to know:
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1.To what extent is the Commission aware of financial support given to European media by the Internews Network, USAID, the National Endowment for Democracy and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), and did the OCCRP receive financial support from the EU?
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2.What steps are being taken to prevent EU democratic processes and Member States from being unlawfully influenced by these organisations?
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3.Will the Commission consider reviewing and potentially terminating the EU’s cooperation with USAID and other US-backed organisations to protect the EU’s sovereignty?
Submitted: 19.3.2025
However, there seems to be no problem with foreign companies coming into Ireland interfering with our political process.