View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
July 24, 2012updated 14 Sep 2012 3:38pm

Desmond says no editors should sit on new PCC

By Dominic Ponsford

Express Newspapers publisher Northern and Shell has said that no serving editors should be members whatever new press regulator replaces the PCC.

In its closing submission to the Leveson Inquiry, Northern and Shell rejected a plan put forward by press owners' body Pressbof which has suggested that a new-look PCC complaints board has five editors on it and eight public members.

James Dingemans QC said in his closing submission for Northern and Shell: "There should be no current editors on the regulatory body. This is an industry which is still too small to enable persons to be seen to be independent; whether they are or not is in some respects not the thing, but to be seen to be independent of the bodies which they are regulating.

"So far as individual titles are concerned, and it's no secret that those that I represent are not current members of the PCC, it is again too small that animosities or perceived animosities and loyalties orperceived loyalties could undermine what could otherwise be a proper functioning body."

Pressbof has suggested that headhunted be commissioned to recruit a new head of the regulator.

But Richard Desmond-owned Northern and Shell has suggested that far more effort be made to ensure that appointments to the press regulator are independent.

Dingemans said: "We do respectfully submit that the constitutional significance of the free press is such that the body appointing the persons to the regulatory body should have protections equivalent to those governing the appointment of Judicial Appointments Commissioners.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

"The judiciary has its own constitutional importance in our society, and we do respectfully submit that the press has a vital role to play and that it is essential to put clear blue water between Parliamentary bodies and the regulators.

"There have been suggestions in the evidence that a headhunter might be appointed to find the next people, and we do respectfully submit that whilst the headhunter would no doubt do a conscientious job, may in fact find the best person for the appointment, there's none of the transparency and systemic guarantees against interference that are required in these areas."

If Pressbof is to avoid statutory press regulation it has to come up with a new system which all major publishers sign up to.

As Press Gazette reported earlier this month, Northern and Shell has already signalled major opposition to Pressbof's plan to give the new regulator control of press cards.

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