The country’s highest-ranking judge has said the courts must be a ‘backstop’ for resolving civil disputes when all other options have been exhausted.

The country’s highest-ranking judge has said the courts must be a ‘backstop’ for resolving civil disputes when all other options have been exhausted.

Newspapers are being inhibited from investigating and publishing on issues of public importance due to the Government’s failure to reform defamation laws.

The Press Ombudsman and Press Council have called for regulation of social media to stop spin, lies, and corporate interests distorting debate.

A pupil whose contribution to a classroom debate on water charges was published online has had a complaint upheld by the Press Ombudsman.

The media have been warned off treating social media postings as public material where children are involved.

The newspaper industry has paid warm tribute to Press Ombudsman John Horgan as he announces his retirement, describing him as a man with a “uniquely rounded and incredibly insightful perspective” who “commanded universal respect”.

Less than 15% of all complaints against newspapers and magazines are probed by the Press Ombudsman.

Ireland’s Press Council has defended its role in the wake of recent criticisms voiced by Denis O’Brien during his libel action against the Irish Daily Mail.

Fining newspapers for bad behaviour is unlikely to act as a deterrent or boost public confidence in the press, according to the Press Ombudsman.

Ireland's Press Ombudsman has been called to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry next week.

Ireland’s Press Ombudsman has been called to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry next week.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has expressed confidence that Irish newspapers have not engaged in phone hacking or the corruption of police and government officials, unlike some of their British counterparts.

The Polish woman at the centre of a controversial Irish Independent article has said she was “shocked” that the badly translated piece was published in the first place.

The Sunday Tribune is to pursue legal action in response to the Irish Mail on Sunday's publication yesterday of thousands of newspapers featuring a mocked-up Tribune masthead.

At least one complaint was made to the press watchdog every day in its first year, it was revealed today.

THE Press Ombudsman has upheld part of a complaint by Wayne O’Donoghue’s father Ray against a tabloid newspaper which accused him of “using” Robert’s Holohan’s death to help get planning for a new home.

The widow of businessman Patrick Rocca, who died in a suspected suicide, tonight said he had “no significant” financial difficulties.

The following is the text of the Press Ombudsman’s ruling of November 14, 2008 which decided that sufficient remedial action was offered by the Irish Examiner in response to a complaint by Mr Robert O’Farrell.

An independent watchdog set up to rule on public complaints about the print media today officially opened for business.

COMPLAINTS about the press could be dealt with by an independent Press Ombudsman and Press Council under the terms of a progressive proposal from National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI).