Providing the public with an independent forum

for resolving complaints about the press

Press Council of Ireland Announced

By
Tuesday, 5th December 2006
Filed under:


 

Independent Chairman:Thomas N. Mitchell Facilitator: Senator Maurice Hayes
Members: Tom Crone, News International; Charles Collier-Wright,Trinity Mirror;
Frank Cullen, National Newspapers of Ireland; Rosemary Delaney, Periodical Publishers Association of Ireland;
Seamus Dooley, National Union of Journalists; Michael Brophy, National Newspapers of Ireland;
Martin Fitzpatrick, National Union of Journalists; Neville Galloway, Regional Newspapers Association of Ireland;
Geraldine Kennedy, National Newspapers of Ireland; Ger Walsh, Regional Newspapers Association of Ireland.
Clyde Lodge, 15 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Telephone (01) 668 9099 Fax (01) 668 9872 Email amlenihan@cullencommunications.ie

5 December 06


THE OFFICE OF PRESS OMBUDSMAN AND PRESS COUNCIL OF IRELAND IS ANNOUNCED

Joint industry group publish details of independent press complaints mechanism


The PISC was formed in January 2004 with the express purpose of agreeing a model for the establishment of an independent Press Council. The agreed model has been developed and refined since that time and the Minister for Justice has been kept informed of the process. The PISC’s proposal is for an Office of Press Ombudsman and Press Council that is independent of Government and, in
operation, independent of the media.

The Press Industry Steering (PISC) committee is a joint industry group comprising the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI), the Regional Newspaper Association of Ireland (RNAI), the Periodical Publishers Association of Ireland (PPAI), the National Union of Journalists and the Irish editions of
UK newspaper titles under the independent Chairmanship of Prof. Tom Mitchell.

All discussions with the Minister for Justice were based on the premise that a Press Council could not operate in Ireland without substantial reform of the defamation laws. The PISC therefore welcomes the Minister’s decision to introduce the Defamation Bill in the Seanad. The Bill, when enacted, will pave the way for the establishment of an independent Press Council.

The PISC has therefore decided to publish the details of how the Independent Ombudsman and Press Council will operate and the principles which it will apply. Full details of its functions, the newspaper and periodical industry’s Code of Practice and the complaints process are contained in the brochure.

Details as to the members of the independent appointments committee are also set out.

The PISC is confident that the Press Ombudsman and Press Council together will ensure that the press maintains the high standards imposed upon it by the Code of Practice, particularly in relation to accuracy and respect for privacy.

For further information: Ann Marie Lenihan 01 668 9099 / 086 816 2764