This article reviews the history of press self-regulation in Britain, from the 1947 Ross Commission to the 2012 Leveson Inquiry Commission. It considers the history of the Press Council and the Press Complaints Commission, analysing the ways they developed, their work, and how they have reached their current non-status. It is argued that the existing situation in Britain is far from satisfactory, and that the press should advance more elaborate mechanisms of self-control, establishing a new regulatory body called the Public and Press Council that will be anchored in law, empowering the new regulator with greater and unprecedented authority, and equipping it with substantive sanctioning abilities. The Public and Press Council should be independent and effective, with transparent policies, processes and responsibilities. Its adjudication should be made in accordance with a written, detailed Code of Practice.
Notes
Cohen-Almagor, Raphael 1; Email Address: R.Cohen-Almagor@hull.ac.uk; Affiliation: 1: School of Politics, Philosophy and International Studies, The University of Hull, Cottingham Road Hull HU6 7RX UK; Source Info: Feb2015, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p159; Subject Term: SELF regulation; Subject Term: PRESS councils; Subject Term: SELF-control; Subject Term: RESPONSIBILITY; Subject Term: GREAT Britain; Author-Supplied Keyword: Britain; Author-Supplied Keyword: Code of Practice; Author-Supplied Keyword: Leveson Inquiry Commission; Author-Supplied Keyword: Press Complaints Commission; Author-Supplied Keyword: Press Council; Author-Supplied Keyword: Public and Press Council; Author-Supplied Keyword: Self-regulation; Company/Entity: PRESS Complaints Commission (Great Britain); Number of Pages: 23p; Document Type: Article
