McDowell backs independent press ombudsman

TÁNAISTE Michael McDowell yesterday gave his full backing to the independent press ombudsman and press council proposed by the print media and journalists.

The new body, called the Press Council of Ireland, was unveiled yesterday at a press conference in Dublin, which Mr McDowell attended.

Coupled with the Defamation Act 2006 (replacing the existing 1961 legislation) which goes before the Seanad today, the establishment of the press council will represent the most radical move since the foundation of the State to address the balance between the right of free expression and the right of individuals to their good name.

Under the plans unveiled yesterday, members of the public will for the first time have access to an independent forum for resolving complaints against the press, without having to take the risky and potentially costly option of seeking redress in the courts.

The new body will be two-tiered. The Press Ombudsman will be the “public face of Irish press regulation” and will receive, validate and investigate complaints by the public.

The full Press Council of Ireland will hear appeals or hear complicated cases. It will be made up of 13 members, six drawn from the newspaper industry, and seven lay members representing all strands of society. The chairperson will be drawn from the lay members.

To assert the independence of the council from both Government and from the industry, Frank Cullen of the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) yesterday disclosed that a four-person committee would oversee the appointment of the ombudsman and council.

The new body will be free to use and the rationale behind it is to resolve complaints quickly and amicably. However, there will be no monetary penalties. Instead, on the principle of “naming and shaming” the newspaper will publish the decision in a prominent place.

A new code of conduct — at present in draft form — will underpin the working of the council. It consists of 10 principles which set standards for truth and accuracy; fairness and honesty; respect for the constitution right of citizens to a good name; and rightof privacy.

Said Mr Cullen: “Newspapers have signed up to a set of standards by which they are prepared to be judged.”

Speaking at the conference, the Tánaiste said: “I am very happy with the obvious and manifest independence which the appointment panel has.”

Editor of the Irish Examiner Tim Vaughan welcomed the new council.

“In conjunction with the Defamation Bill, it is a positive development for the general public. They will now have recourse to a remedy other than expensive legal action,” said Mr Vaughan.

“The defamation changes will afford greater press freedom to pursue and publish matters in the public interest,” he added.

One of the key elements is a new defence of reasonable publication. The defence will be available for articles which are fair and reasonable and which concern a matter of public interest, even if they contain a false or inaccurate statement.

The minister insisted that the controversial Privacy Bill was still on the table in the Seanad. However, it seems unlikely it will be enacted before the elections.