The Directors of the IHRB, at their Board Meeting on 5 March 2025 approved the following changes to Rule 20 (xxiii) which will become effective on 6 March 2025:

PROPOSED RULE ON MEDIA: RULE 20 (xxiii)

[Insert within Powers of Directors]

• The Directors of the IHRB shall have the authority to regulate and oversee media attendance at hearings. They may establish rules governing media access, conduct, and reporting to ensure compliance with IHRB Standards, Protocols, and Guidelines. The Directors also have the power to restrict or prohibit media attendance if deemed necessary in the interest of fairness, confidentiality, or the integrity of proceedings.

• Representatives of the media attending hearings must comply with the Guidelines and any instructions issued by the IHRB, the Chairperson, or Directors.

• Hearings of the Referrals Committee or Appeals Body shall be open to media representatives unless the Chairperson directs otherwise. When attending a hearing, the media must respect all instructions and notices as issued by the IHRB, the Chairperson or Directors. The Chairperson may also impose restrictions on the publication of certain matters arising during the hearing.

• The deliberations of Disciplinary Panels shall be conducted in private.

• All hearings shall be recorded by the IHRB, and such recordings shall remain confidential and be the sole property of the IHRB.

• Transcripts of these recordings shall not be made public. No person shall have the right to access or compel the production of a recording, copy, or transcript except where required by law, if they are an interested party, and upon payment of the relevant administrative fee.