Overview

This bill establishes an Independent Press Council (IPC) to uphold journalistic standards, protect freedom of expression, and provide redress for individuals harmed by press misconduct. The Council will be independent and self-regulated, funded by newspaper subscriptions, with its structure and operations subject to Supreme Court certification.

Description

The bill outlines the creation of a self-regulating Independent Press Council, a body corporate established by newspaper publishers as a company limited by guarantee. The Council will have a Board consisting of a lay chairman and ten other members (five professional, five lay), appointed by an independent panel. Its key functions include: promoting freedom of expression and the press; encouraging high professional standards; considering complaints of misconduct; and providing redress for victims. Newspaper publishers will fund the Council through subscriptions. Crucially, courts considering cases of irresponsible journalism will give weight to whether a newspaper was a subscriber and acted in accordance with the IPC’s standards. The Secretary of State sends the Act to the President of the UK Supreme Court for certification of the Council's proposal.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly allocate government funds to the IPC. The Council will be funded entirely by subscriptions from participating newspaper publishers. Therefore, there is no direct impact on UK government spending.

Groups Affected

• Newspaper publishers: Will be responsible for funding the IPC and adhering to its standards. This could impact their operational costs and practices.
• Editors and journalists: Will be subject to the IPC’s standards and disciplinary processes.
• Individuals affected by press misconduct: Will have access to a new mechanism for seeking redress and complaint.
• The Judiciary: Will be required to take the IPC's standards into account in relevant legal cases.
• Public: Will benefit from improved journalistic standards and a more robust system for dealing with press misconduct.

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