Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
November 7, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 9:42pm

Horrocks calls for database to end accidental contempt risk

By Press Gazette

Incoming Society of Editors president Paul Horrocks has promised to press for the setting up of a central database containing details of all court orders in the UK.

In his first speech as president of the Society, to close the Glasgow conference, the Manchester Evening News editor said he wanted to make it easier to get information on court rulings to help prevent editors committing accidental contempt.

He said: “For the past 12 months I have ben trying to persuade the Attorney General to take up this issue and I will continue to press for some action. It could be established on a subrscription basis but would need government backing to require courts to comply.”

Horrocks also urged Society members to give their “strongest possible support” to the Press Complaints Commission.

And he concluded his by speech by calling on the industry to “join forces to help find an ownership solution for Press Gazette", which went into administration this week and is currently facing an uncertain future.

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

Websites in our network