Social media companies should be held to the same legal standards as broadcasters and newspapers, according to a Kerry County Councillor.
Fianna Fáil councillor Breandán Fitzgerald made the call at the recent full meeting of Kerry County Council.
He's urging Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and Innovation and Science Minister James Lawless to bring in legislation treating social media companies as publishers under Irish law.
Cllr Fitzgerald said that, unlike traditional media, social media platforms are not legally responsible for content published by users.
He described this as one of the biggest mistakes that has been allowed to happen.
Broadcasters and newspapers are legally accountable for every word they publish, while social media companies can host and promote content without carrying the same liability.
The Dingle-based councillor said free speech must come with responsibility, but argued that social media companies currently take none.
He also claimed platforms provide AI tools that allow harmful content to be created and shared.
Councillor Fitzgerald said this situation “cannot continue”, and that social media companies must be held accountable for what appears on their platforms.
Seconding the motion, Councillor Angie Baily said powerful social media executives are shielded from accountability, despite repeated reports linking their platforms to serious harm to children’s mental health and lives.
She said content that would never be accepted by traditional media is allowed online, and called for some of the wealth generated by social media companies to be redirected towards rebuilding communities damaged by social media.
