(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an 18 June 2003 IPI press release: Vienna, 18 June 2003 IPI Calls for Lengthier Discussions on Possible Changes to UK Press Complaints Council (PCC) IPI believes the proposals of the Commons select committee for culture should be seen as the starting point and not the conclusion of an on-going […]
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an 18 June 2003 IPI press release:
Vienna, 18 June 2003
IPI Calls for Lengthier Discussions on Possible Changes to UK Press Complaints Council (PCC)
IPI believes the proposals of the Commons select committee for culture should be seen as the starting point and not the conclusion of an on-going and wide-ranging dialogue on how the role of the PCC may be enhanced.
Speaking at the Vienna headquarters of the International Press Institute (IPI), director Johann P. Fritz said that the discussion on the future of the PCC was to be welcomed, but expressed concern over the proposal to fine or penalize newspapers for breaching the editors’ code of conduct.
“The PCC was created to allow complainants to avoid resorting to the law courts for redress. The imposition of fines raises the prospect of a parallel legal system with none of the system’s benefits and all of its disadvantages,” Fritz said.
Fritz went on to say, “Fines will lead to lengthier hearings, witnesses, appeals, the possible application of legal precedent, and greater costs. The end result will be a greater participation by lawyers in a re-vamped PCC that would run contrary to the original intent of the body.”
On the subject of the media’s invasion of privacy, Fritz said, “Although many of the headlines generated on this subject are often of a sensational nature, all sides in this discussion should bear in mind that there are important principles at stake and these are freedom of the press and the right of the media to report freely.
“The danger is that these essential principles will be shunted aside in the head-long rush to make quick changes to the UK media environment.”
