Media
RDJ boasts one of the most experienced media law teams in Ireland and is ranked as a Tier 1 firm by Media Law International. Our team of experienced practitioners offers tailored legal advice to meet the distinctive needs of the media industry. Specialising in all facets of media law—including print, broadcasting, and digital sectors—we provide comprehensive support in defamation, privacy law, and issues related to contempt of court and reporting restrictions.
Meet the team
We have been involved in many landmark cases before the Superior Courts in recent years, and our practitioners have contributed to media law publications in both Ireland and the UK. Our specialists provide defamation advice to national and regional newspapers and publishers. We also advise broadcasting and digital clients, as well as insurers in the TMT sector, on defamation, privacy, and intellectual property issues.
What we do
- Defamation & Privacy Law: We offer comprehensive advice on defamation and privacy issues, helping clients navigate sensitive legal challenges and protect their reputation.
- Pre-Publication Advice: We regularly advise publishing and broadcasting clients before publication, offering strategies to mitigate legal risks, ensure compliance with evolving media laws, and especially address issues related to Court reporting.
- Post-Publication Support: Our team assists clients in responding to complaints and managing reputational risks after publication, ensuring compliance and effective resolution. Our team has also acted for media clients regarding contempt of court issues.
- Online Takedown Procedures: Expert advice on handling anonymous defamatory posts, social media takedown notices, and the legal implications of republishing or hyperlinking a defamatory post.
- Passing off and Intellectual Property Infringement: Expert advice on how to handle copyright infringement, trademark infringement and passing off.
- Non-contentious Media Law:
- Advising on media merger notifications before the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
- Acting for media sector clients on M&A transactions, corporate group restructurings and corporate finance matters
- Creation and/or review of Advertising and Sponsorship Agreements.
- Online and broadcast advertising compliance
- Content acquisition and licensing arrangements
- Advise clients on complaints to the Press Ombudsman and Coimisiun na Mean (the regulator responsible for broadcasters and online platforms) .
Representative Experience
- Acted for Wissam Al Mana, a high profile Qatari businessman in respect of High Court proceedings against Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (formerly Facebook Ireland Limited). The proceedings concerned a series of fake advertisements on the social media platform for cryptocurrency featuring his image and purported endorsement. RDJ assisted Mr Al Mana in achieving a significant confidential settlement in December 2023, pursuant to which Meta issued an apology.
- Advising Landmark Media Group (as it was then) on the sale of all publishing and media interests of the group to the Irish Times (one of the most significant Irish media transactions to take place in recent times).
- Successfully defended a High Court injunction in the first High Court decision on seeking an Order prohibiting the publication of an allegedly defamatory statement under the Defamation Act 2009 (Philpott v Irish Examiner).
- Successfully defended a broadcasting client in one of the few privacy proceedings issued in the High Court in this jurisdiction. The case was ultimately settled after a Supreme Court Appeal.
- Acted for an Italian company in proceedings against a large social media company culminating in the successful resolution of the matter when the client’s social media account was re-instated.
- Acted for a large retailer in proceedings against Facebook (now Meta) and a lay litigant regarding the takedown of defamatory content relating to the retailer and its employees.
- Defended a television production company in a high-profile High Court breach of copyright claim (Sharkey v Octagon Films Limited and Radio Teilifis Eireann).
- Advised a Broadcaster and Production Company in defence of High Court proceedings in relation to an alleged copyright infringement and passing off following the production and broadcast of a television series.
- Acted in a number of successful applications opposing an extension of time to bring an application under the Defamation Act 2009.
- Advising a media publisher on a proposed sale to a large media group -advising on the heads of agreement, due diligence phase (including data room set-up and management), drafting business sale agreement and the implications of the competition and media merger notification process on the transaction timetable.
- Brought “Norwich Pharmacal” applications against some of the larger social media platforms such as Facebook and X (Twitter) seeking to identify persons behind anonymous social media accounts.
- Acted for corporate clients and high net worth individuals in proceedings against social media platforms relating to unlawful content posted on social media including defamatory content and content breaching GDPR.
- Acted in a number of high-profile High Court cases in the areas of defamation, breach of privacy and contempt of Court– see Mahon –v- Post Publication Limited t/a The Sunday Business Post, Irish Times Limited –v- Judge Murphy.
Why Choose RDJ?
- Deep industry knowledge and legal expertise
- Proven track record in high-profile media cases
- Tailored advice to protect your reputation and ensure legal compliance
Key Contacts
If you need specialist media law advice or representation, contact us today to discuss your case.
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