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Ombudsman John Horgan Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

What does it take to be the Press Ombudsman?

The Press Council is advertising for a new Press Ombudsman ahead of the departure of John Horgan.

THE PRESS COUNCIL of Ireland is advertising for a new Press Ombudsman ahead of the imminent departure of the incumbent John Horgan.

Horgan is to retire on 1 September after being appointed as Ireland’s first ever Press Ombudsman in 2007.

The Press Council, which oversees the office of the Press Ombudsman, is now advertising for applications for the job.

The Ombudsman is part of the independent voluntary regulation for printed and online media in Ireland. The public can complain to the office about any media organisations which are members of the Press Council of Ireland if an article breaches the code of practice

In the ad posted on the Press Council website, applicants are required to show an in-depth knowledge of the role of the media in a democratic society; maintain the confidence of both editors and the public in the credibility and authority of the office by being independent, fair and objective; and have strong communication, facilitation and decision-making skills.

The ad also says that a track record at senior management level is desirable, as is a relevant third level of professional qualification.

The ad doesn’t specify how much the successful candidate will be paid, but says there is an “attractive remuneration package” on offer commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The appointment is for a fixed term of three years, which may be extended.

The new person will be appointed for a term starting on 1 September.

Read: 67 per cent increase in volume of complaints to Press Ombudsman > 

Read: Press Council defends record after Denis O’Brien libel action > 

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11 Comments
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    Mute KM TON
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 12:54 PM

    Maybe I’m getting old but I have no idea what that article was about

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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:07 PM

    It’s essentially about two guys who made a company based on their popularity online and tried to trademark the word ‘reacts’ among other things. They wanted the ability to remove content which looked anything like theirs (or not, they had a go at Ellen DeGeneres for a scene which only vaguely alluded to their work) and ultimately the right to sue anyone who wouldn’t abide by their wishes.

    Essentially, it’s about what happens when trademark laws are taken to a ridiculous extreme.

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    Mute Daniel Wilson
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 6:07 PM

    But wtf is a ‘react video’? Jaysus I’m only 27 and I haven’t a clue…

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    Mute Amanda Horan
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 6:31 PM

    It’s basically people filming their reactions to things. Usually YouTube videos. How anyone thinks they could trademark that is beyond me

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    Mute Daniel Wilson
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 7:11 PM

    That’s what I thought, but then I thought, Na no one would watch something so utterly mundane…

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    Mute Diarmuid Nolan
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    Feb 3rd 2016, 1:16 PM

    I actually heard from somebody I watch on YouTube sometimes, a ranter that the Fine Bros went around copyright claiming videos that even had the word “react” or “reaction” in them and some of these videos were from as long ago as 2007! Its absolutely ridiculous what they are doing.

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    Mute Anon Ymous
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 12:53 PM

    Two arrogant p***ks react to being taken down a peg or two.

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    Mute Seth Cheffetz
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:07 PM

    Sorry, you can’t take back being douchebags. I hope your subscriber exodus continues.

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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:15 PM

    I can’t blame someone for wanting to protect their work, although the Fine Brothers were not looking to do that. They were looking for the freedom to monetise an entire style of video.

    It would be like Disney trying to protect the Star Wars trademark (fully understandable) but also looking for the freedom to sue any other film company that produced something even remotely like it.

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    Mute Seth Cheffetz
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:23 PM

    One of the problems is their videos are all based off of other people’s content. They make money using other people’s videos and try to trademark something incredibly vague. They certainly were not the first to come up with the concept of a reaction video either.

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    Mute The Girl
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:30 PM

    Prohibited ave become too greedy. They already make a lot from their videos so why attempt to milk more…money makes the world go round I guess…

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    Mute The Girl
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:30 PM

    People have *

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    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 2:54 PM

    I’m not sure if she was successful or not but Paris Hilton wanted to trademark the words, “that’s hot”. Ridiculous!

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    Mute Moll Rowlands
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:18 PM

    The great thing about YouTube is that it’s not like television, in the sense that you don’t need a massive team of people to create something. Anyone with a webcam and a computer can make a YouTube video and trying to licence what essentially is a whole genre of videos on the website will ruin the whole thing, in my opinion.

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    Mute Seth Cheffetz
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:24 PM

    They are nothing without the content other people created.

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    Mute Moll Rowlands
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:26 PM

    Exactly Seth.

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    Mute Alice Jane McKinney
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 2:54 PM

    Exactly! I’m so relieved that they decided not to go ahead. this kind of legalisation of YouTube video formats would have had a drastic effect on how video sharing works and would destroy the notion of the freedom of the Internet. there’s space for anyone to express themselves on YouTube, and this move would have damaged that

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    Mute Moll Rowlands
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 3:02 PM

    Alice I’m surprised they didn’t expect this kind of backlash after what happened to Sam Pepper. And anyway, if you get caught stealing someones idea/video on youtube you get dragged in the comments lmao

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    Mute Alice Jane McKinney
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 3:11 PM

    very true! there’s a level of courtesy that you follow and if you don’t- you get called out! I’m so relieved it’s been reversed that could have been catastrophic

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    Mute Rashers Tierney
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:12 PM

    “YouTube Stars” – what is wrong with this statement? :-)

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    Mute SillyBilly
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:21 PM

    TV Stars, Movie Stars, no difference really

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    Mute The Girl
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 1:39 PM

    Well said @Seth.

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 12:39 PM

    Hey ho

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    Mute Screaming Toddy
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    Feb 4th 2016, 5:28 AM

    Two knobs who make videos featuring lots of pretentious people playing up for the camera.

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    Mute Eoin Bond
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    Feb 2nd 2016, 9:45 PM

    They wanted to trademark their series, as in the kids react and elders reacts!

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