Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media meet for engagement on the Freedom and Security of the Press operating in areas of conflict

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media will meet tomorrow, Wednesday,10th July for engagement on the Freedom and Security of the Press operating in areas of conflict.

The meeting will hear from:

· Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chairman of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Freedom of Speech

· Tarlach McGonagle, Professor of Media Law and Information Society at University of Amsterdam

· Representatives from the International Federation of Journalists

· Representatives from the National Union of Journalists

· Representatives from Article 19

· Representatives from the Committee To Protect Journalists

Speaking ahead of the meeting at 1:30pm in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Niamh Smyth said: "The Committee's work continues tomorrow with focus turning to the security and freedom of the Press operating in areas of conflict. All of the Members of this Committee believe that a functioning Press and Media is a key pillar of democracy.

"We welcome the representatives attending tomorrow and will look to them to detail the extent of the perils facing journalists and the wider media teams operating in conflict zones."

The meeting in Committee Room 1 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.