Newspaper body calls for independent press regulation

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).

Under this initiative, ordinary citizens would have an opportunity to complain and seek redress without having to incur the huge costs associated with a High Court libel action.

In moving to establish a system of independent press regulation, the NNI has rejected the Government’s plan for a Legal Advisory Group on Defamation and the establishment of a statutory Press Council.

The proposed NNI system clearly distinguishes between defamation, which is a legal issue and would remain a matter for the courts, and press standards, which is a matter of ethics and would become the remit of the Press Ombudsman and Council.

The NNI says that statutory press regulation is not in the public interest as it would significantly interfere with editorial independence, freedom of expression and the role of the press in a democracy.

Furthermore, it would put Ireland out of line with the rest of Europe where press standards are not regulated by government.

“While emphasising the need for independent rather than statutory regulation, the NNI recognises that the Press Ombudsman and Press Council must be acknowledged in law to enable them to carry out their functions,” said the NNI.

The NNI has accepted that the Press Ombudsman and Press Council must be accorded privilege if they are to conduct their duties independently.

In January 2003 the NNI submitted a proposal to government for the establishment of an independent Press Ombudsman and Press Council. Newspaper editors would sign up to a Code of Standards and the Press Ombudsman and Press Council would then ensure newspapers complied with that Code. They would also investigate alleged Code breaches.

The system would guarantee a quick and independent decision at no cost to the complainant, the NNI have stressed.

However, under the statutory model proposed by the report of the Legal Advisory Group, the Press Council would consist entirely of Government appointees; would be responsible for drawing up a Code of Standards; would make all decisions on alleged breaches of that Code; and would be able to invoke the powers of the Circuit Court to enforce those decisions.