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Is it time for a Press Council?

  • 04-02-2005 11:08pm
    #1
    Reader
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14 ✭


    Given the recent controversies over newspapers (in particular) invading the privacy of politicians (and others), my question is: do we need a Press Council to give those whose privacy has been invaded some redress? If so, what remedies should the Press Council have?

    If you want an idea of what a Press Council might look like, have a look at the UK's Press Complaints Commission <http://www.pcc.org.uk/index2.html&gt; or Ireland's Broadcasting Complaints Commission <http://www.bcc.ie/&gt;


Comments

  • #2
    chewy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,254 ✭✭✭chewy


    i dunno this discussion has been going on for such a long time as nearly coming, the gov say one thing the papers say another but neither seems ot be fully independent with teeth...


  • #3
    flogen
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,247 Mod ✭✭✭✭flogen


    apparently a compromise is in the works which should appease everyone. The press dont want politicians telling them what they can and cant do, and the politicians know that self regulation doesnt always work.
    The council is likely to be a statuatory body with powers of some description (more than just slaps on the wrist, one hopes) which will be made up of volunteers from different sections of the press. All will be over-seen by an ombusman who can step in when things get messy.
    This make up should work, it will basically tell the press that there is a body there that could have an effect on them and if they like they can have a place on its board, if they don't then they can hardly compain of censorship in later years.

    as far as I'm concerned we do need one, once it isn't the government telling the papers and press what they can and cannot say.

    (I think I read that blurb in the SBP, by the way)

    flogen


  • #4
    chewy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,254 ✭✭✭chewy


    who is everyone
    will it please the public?


  • #5
    flogen
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,247 Mod ✭✭✭✭flogen


    chewy wrote:
    who is everyone
    will it please the public?

    I don't know, but I'm sure we'll get a better idea of that as the formula of the council become apparent and bodies and groups are consulted.

    Everyone may have been a bit much, there's always going to be the tabloid editor who gets annoyed when he can't print every irrelevant detail of someones life, and the corrupt politician who doesn't want his private crimes to be made public, but the idea laid out in the SBP article is probably the best that can be done. Hopefully the body will adapt as it goes even after it's formed, so if there are teething problems they can be resolved.

    flogen


  • #6
    omnicorp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,249 ✭✭✭omnicorp


    I think Mary Harney was spot on (for once) on that the public has no right to know about someones Private Life if it does not affect their Public Life.


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