A new report that considers how Public Service Media would be setup following the potential reunification of Ireland, has been published. Public Media Ireland: a New PSM Organisation for a New Country, is a joint project from Ulster University and Dublin City University, co-authored by Phil Ramsey (also a member of the Cultural Policy Observatory Ireland Steering Committee), Roddy Flynn, Steve Baker and Dawn Wheatley. The report was launched on 14 January 2026, at The Linen Hall, Belfast, at an event chaired by Susan McKay (Press Ombudsman for Ireland, journalist and author), in partnership with Cultural Policy Observatory Ireland. 

The report asks whether BBC Northern Ireland would continue to exist; if RTÉ would take over; or, if a new body should be set up. Setting out five options for what might happen, the authors conclude that a reunified Ireland should have a new Public Service Media organisation, provisionally called Public Media Ireland.

The report goes on to consider issues that include: how journalism would operate under such a model; how it would be funded; and how governance arranges would be put in place to ensure accountability and democratic representation.

Report author Phil Ramsey has said:

“This report kickstarts a debate on what the future of media might look like across Ireland. This is the beginning of a conversation, and we want interested parties to have their say on the recommendations.”