The Icelandic Media Committee is an independent administrative committee which reports directly to the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. The Committee conducts surveillance in accordance with the media law and other relevant legislation. Its role is to promote media literacy, diversity and pluralism in the media, as well as safeguarding the freedom of expression and the right of the public to information. The Committee regulates both public and commercial media services in Iceland in accordance with the media act (38/2011) and the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service act (23/2013). The Committee additionally monitors children's access to films and video games in accordance with the act on the monitoring of children's access to films and video games (62/2006).
The Committee monitors and conducts surveillance of a variety of both public and private media in Iceland. It monitors the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV) and annually reviews its performance to determine if its operations are in line with legislation and guidelines. The Committee also monitors private media and how both audio and visual material is delivered.
Since the Committee was formed in 2011 it has been an instrumental part of monitoring and reviewing media related issues, for example reviewing and providing commentary on seven bills undergoing the Parliamentary process throughout this timeframe. The Committee's main task is monitoring and conducting surveillance of the media, ensuring that both public and private bodies work in accordance with the media act (38/2011). The Committee takes suggestions from the general public and is able to determine whether a media organization is in breach of relevant legislation following a review. Since it was formed in 2011, the Committee has issued 53 verdicts on issues that have been pointed out by public comments. Specific verdicts can be accessed on the Committee's webpage: https://fjolmidlanefnd.is/urlausnir/
366,139 USD were allocated to The Media Committee for the year 2019 (50 million ISK).