View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
October 25, 2013

Government says publishers’ Royal Charter would be more open to political interference

By Press Gazette

The Government has said that the system of press regulation proposed by publishers would be more open to political interference than the one put forward in a cross-party deal.

The main newspaper and magazine publishers have rejected the cross-party press regulation plan and are seeking judicial review over the Privy Council’s decision to reject their proposal.

They are now pressing on with the creation of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

In order for a new regulator to protect publishers from exemplary damages in civil legal actions, it must by licensed by a recognition body which is underpinned by a Royal Charter. The Government Royal Charter can be changed with a majority of both Houses of Parliament. The publisher-backed Royal Charter states that it can only be changed in future with the unanimous agreement of its board, the external recognition panel and the various industry trade associations which help fund it.

But the DCMS said in a statement that ministers could amend the publishers' Royal Charter.

It said: “We welcome the progress the industry has made on setting up a self-regulator but we’re disappointed the press are intending to resort to legal action.

“The Industry Royal Charter was considered in an entirely proper and fair way by the Privy Council Sub Committee and the reasons they were unable to grant it are in the public domain.  Whilst they found acceptable areas, they outlined fundamental issues that were not compatible with the Leveson principles such as a lack of independence around appointments and funding and no requirement to provide an arbitration scheme.  Additionally, it allowed for political interference, with ministers able to change the charter without restriction.

Content from our partners
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it
Impress: Regulation, arbitration and complaints resolution

“The Government is working to bring in a system of independent press self-regulation that will protect press freedom while offering real redress when mistakes are made.  The Culture Secretary pushed hard for recent changes on arbitration and the standards code to be made, which will ensure the system is workable and the stated intention to go to court is particularly disappointing in light of these changes.”

Hacked Off, the pressure group which represents the victims of press intrusion, said: "The people leading this part of the newspaper industry are exposing themselves as desperate and deaf. 

"Desperate, because they are now resorting to a legal challenge to something based on the findings of a public inquiry, and backed by the victims of press abuse, all parties in Parliament and the overwhelming majority of the public.

"Deaf, because they refuse to listen to the evidence that there is no threat to the free press and that this deal actually benefits the press, both financially and in terms of freedom of expression.

"Their actions, coming in the last few days before the cross-party charter is sealed, are entirely predictable and self-serving.

"It's time they calmed down, listened, and did what the public expects of them."

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network