Craig, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) since its establishment in 2009, was appointed to the Board of the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) in December and recently took up her duties in January as a Board member.
Comprising representatives from national audio-visual regulatory bodies of the 27 EU member states, ERGA advises the European Commission on matters relating to the implementation of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) which introduces new legislation for television, on-demand and video sharing platform services. It also acts as a Forum for co-operation between the regulatory bodies and the exchange of experiences and good practice. Part of ERGA’s Work Programme for 2021 will focus on the ongoing implementation of the AVMS Directive and contributions to EU-level discussions on the future framework for the regulation of digital services and measures against disinformation.
Commenting on her recent appointment to the Board, Ms. Craig said: “I am very pleased to be appointed to the ERGA Board at this time of great transformation in the field of European audio-visual content regulation. The revised AVMSD brings about new challenges and opportunities for regulators in their shared objectives of protecting audiences and service users, safeguarding freedom of expression and media pluralism and preserving cultural diversity. ERGA has a key role to play in strengthening cooperation between regulators and supporting members through the implementation process.
“The recently published European Commission’s Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act and European Democracy Action Plan also present significant policy matters for ERGA consideration and debate and I look forward to engaging with the Board and supporting my fellow audio-visual regulators through this important and exciting period.”
In addition to having worked for the BAI, Craig worked with its predecessors the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) and the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC). A significant dimension of her work in the BAI has been her responsibilities for the formulation and review of a wide range of broadcasting/media-related policies and for advising on the implementation of legislative and policy changes in the audiovisual field at national and European levels.
Most recently, Craig has led the development of the BAI’s Policy Position on the Implementation of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive and on the Regulation of Harmful Content on Online Platforms.
She has had responsibility for regulatory oversight of public funding for the Irish public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, and has acted as an Authority nominee to the BAI’s statutory committees for Contract Awards and for Compliance.
From 2015 to May 2019, she was Chairperson of the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA) and is an active participant in European fora on audiovisual legislative and regulatory matters.
The BAI announced its congratulations to Celine Craig on the appointment, stating “The Board and staff of the BAI would like to congratulate Ms. Craig on her appointment to the ERGA board for 2021, the first meeting of which recently took place on the 28th January 2021.”
