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New digital-services chief for media watchdog

John Evans has been named as the Digital Services Commissioner in the new media regulator Coimisiún na Meán.

Evans, who had been director of strategy and economics at ComReg, will take up the new post on 24 July.

Evans will join the chair and three commissioners in Coimisiún na Meán, which was set up earlier this year.

EU’s DSA

He will lead the establishment of the watchdog’s function as Ireland’s digital services co-ordinator under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets out rules on how digital platforms deal with harmful and illegal content.

The DSA will apply fully from February 2024.

The Government said that Evans would also work closely with the Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett  (pictured) in developing a new regulatory regime for online safety in Ireland.

Recruitment drive

Coimisiún na Meán has also unveiled plans to hire around 120 staff over the coming year – including the post of Director of Legal.

“Building on the work and remit of the BAI, we are currently in start-up phase, and we will be hiring in the region of 120 new colleagues across all levels over the coming year,” said executive chair Jeremy Godfrey.

He said that the recruitment drive would enable the regulator to become fully operational by early 2024.