Ryan backing calls to scrap news VAT rate
‘WE BENEFIT FROM STRONG INDUSTRY’
ENVIRONMENT Minister Eamon Ryan says he backs calls for VAT to be scrapped from newspapers to help protect robust journalism.
Minister Ryan said he was concerned by the growing influence of unchecked misinformation from social media, and said Ireland benefits from having a strong newspaper industry.
He was speaking in the Dail as Fianna Fail TD Brendan Smith called for the nine per cent VAT rate on newspapers to be scrapped.
Deputy Smith said: “Ireland is one of the countries that imposes a high tax on newspapers.
“Newsbrands Ireland have outlined very cogently the absolute need to reduce the VAT rate to zero for newspapers, print and digital.
“Newspapers contribute enormously to the democratic, social, cultural and sporting, economic and business life of our country.
“But at present the viability of publications and jobs is at stake.
“Government must act in this budget to help to ensure the continued viability of this sector and not have people subjected to a reliance on unregulated social media for information or news, or in many instances, misinformation and fake news.”
Minister Ryan told Deputy Smith that he agreed with concerns over the spread of misinformation on social media.
Space
He said: “Social media is not a space for regulated journalism that actually asks the hard questions, provides a different perspective, presents different information in a way that is mediated by professional journalists.
“That’s what our newspapers do and that’s why it is important they survive, to provide this role in our democracy.”