Statement from Founder, Linda Coogan Byrne of Why Not Her? Collective:
What a historic moment for the Media Sector in Ireland as Catherine Martin, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, launches Coimisiún na Meán’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. I am so proud to have been a stakeholder consultant with Coimisiún na Meán’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Consultations 2023 with my team in Why Not Her? on this historic GEDI strategy plan.
I wanted to share my thoughts and hopes:
This comprehensive document is indeed hopefully a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable media landscape in Ireland. As a gender and equality activist, I have long advocated for systemic changes that not only acknowledge but actively dismantle the barriers faced by underrepresented groups in the media within the UK and Ireland.
This Strategy, developed through extensive engagement with industry bodies and diversity groups, is a testament to the collaborative effort required to drive meaningful change. 5 years later, and I genuinely hope Ireland will follow our neighbouring UK Radio broadcasters in reaching gender equality and shifting to inclusivity and diversity.
The ongoing efforts of various organisations in diversity and inclusion are commendable, and this Strategy will undoubtedly serve as a crucial guide for change to happen, and I feel it has taken on board all of our collective voices and concerns. Knowing that its implementation will be monitored by Coimisiún na Meán, promises to ensure accountability and progress.
The forthcoming GEDI Standards, particularly in relation to funding schemes like Sound and Vision, will further embed these principles into the fabric of our media sector. It is essential that these standards are both ambitious and practical, providing clear direction and measurable outcomes. Should legislative support be necessary, I am confident that Coimisiún na Meán will advocate effectively. And we in Why Not Her?, as a collective, stand ever ready to assist in whatever way we can to ensure that shift happens. Incorporating GEDI initiatives is not merely a response to change but a proactive strategy to harness the potential of a diverse media landscape. By embedding these principles in recruitment and on-air/on-screen activities, we can create a sector that truly reflects and serves the diverse society it represents.
I hope that this Strategy will catalyse lasting and tangible changes, ensuring that diversity and inclusion become integral to the sector’s identity. I also hope that those in Radio and broadcasting in Ireland READ THIS STRATEGY and take it on board. I know so many of you are ready for change. Just do it, it is TIME!
Together, we can build a media environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute, thereby enriching the cultural and social fabric of Ireland. Together we rise.
We can never have it that only 1 living female Irish artist is played among the Top 100 songs on Irish radio, and we can never repeat that 0 men of colour who make music in Ireland are given equal opportunities as their white male counterparts, we just can’t continue as it was and is. We HAVE to move beyond this gender and racial bias and start breaking Irish women and diverse artists in music. Well done to Rónán, Sinéad and team in the Coimisiún na Meán. And well done to the Minister Catherine Martin on getting this over the finishing line.
Link to Government announcement: https://gov.ie/en/press-release/12e8e-launch-of-first-gender-equality-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-for-the-media-sector/#:~:text=Launching%20the%20Strategy%20at%20Coimisi%C3%BAn,and%20for%20our%20cultural%20development….
Link to direct PDF of the GEDI Strategy Plan: https://cnam.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CnaM_Gender-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Strategy.pdf
