The press finally see ombudsman appointed

THE appointment of a national press ombudsman has been welcomed by the newspaper industry.

Yesterday former journalist, politician and lecturer Professor John Horgan was given the role by the Press Council of Ireland.

Prof Horgan’s position will not be fully effective until the council becomes operational in November but said yesterday was an important occasion in the history of Irish press.

“My appointment demonstrates the industry’s commitment to providing an independent, effective and responsive structure for handling complaints against newspapers by members of the public.

“The Press Council and ombudsman will also defend sound journalistic principles and the role of the print media in today’s society.

“At a time when media generally are becoming more fragmented, the core values of the traditional print media — accuracy, fairness, timeliness and authenticity — are more important than ever,” he said

The position is supported by National Union of Journalists in Ireland and the National Newspaper’s of Ireland.

NNI co-ordinating director Frank Cullen said the role of ombudsman is a positive development for everybody in the industry.

“The appointment of a Press Ombudsman finally gives the public the opportunity to complain about a newspaper or magazine without having to go to court.

“The financial risk attached to pursuing legal action meant that many people have been reluctant to make a complaint against the press, even when they were genuinely aggrieved. Happily, that is no longer the case.

“The Office of the Press Ombudsman, working closely with the Press Council and operating to a new code of practice for newspapers and magazines, will also help to raise journalistic standards and at the same time safeguard the essential role of media in a democratic society,” he said.

Press Council chairman Professor Thomas Mitchell said the appointment marked the beginning of a new era for the media and hopefully a positive new relationship between the press and public.

“The appointment of a Press Ombudsman means that Ireland finally has a complaints mechanism that is free, easy to use, totally independent and available to every citizen,” said Prof Mitchell.

Prof Horgan began his career on the Irish Press in 1962 before joining the Catholic Herald and later the Irish Times.

He became a member of the Seanad in 1969 and held a seat in the Dáil and the European Parliament.

From 1983 he lectured at Dublin City University and is a member of the Interim Radio Commission, the Commission on the Newspaper Industry and the Forum on Broadcasting.

A new code of practice has been agreed by the press industry which will be the framework against which all complaints are considered.

“The new code is designed not only to raise standards of journalism but also to highlight the role of the media in today’s society and protect the freedom of the press,” Prof Mitchell said.