International Report

Over the last few years the PCC has undertaken to build closer links with similar self-regulatory bodies around the world – and particularly in Europe. This undertaking has served a dual purpose. Firstly, it has sought to combat possible threats to create trans-border regulation that would have failed to take account of cultural differences between countries. Secondly, it has provided the basis for creating an increasingly active forum for debate and discussion among those involved in the self-regulatory field – both through the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE) and the website for Independent Press Councils (www.presscouncils.org).

International support for the PCC

The success of the Commission's international programme was demonstrated last year during the course of the select committee inquiry into privacy and the press. The Committee received a large number of positive submissions from both long-established and nascent press councils from across the world. The Commission was most grateful to its counterparts for the warm messages of support. They included a submission from Phil Maselli from the self-regulatory wing of the Italian Order of Journalists. He said that:

“As Press Councils become active in new countries…their members invariably seek the suggestions and support of the most authoritative journalists’ institutions, and undoubtedly the PCC ranks at the top of the list because of its high profile, reliability and willingness to provide assistance and advice.”

The President of the Swiss Press Council, Peter Studer, added:

“The almost total absence of media laws in Great Britain probably can be explained by the strong presence of the PCC and its predecessors. I hope this situation continues. Self regulation is more practical, more informed and more conducive to media independence than an abundance of laws.”

Flip Voets, the Secretary General of the Flemish press council said:

“Britain has a long tradition of self-regulation of the press. We in Belgium are impressed by the history and the experiences of the PCC. Its role in finding an adequate balance between free speech and the rights of the public – such as the right of privacy – is commendable. The PCC plays a key role in an informal network of European bodies for self-regulation of the press, where it shares its experiences with younger organisations like ours.”

In total, the Select Committee received thirteen such positive submissions from international organisations and counterpart bodies.

A backward step – proposals for a statutory press council in Ireland

There is no doubt that mutual support has bolstered the position of the PCC and its partners in AIPCE and elsewhere. Indeed, the network that has been created continues to expand. Against this backdrop and against a seemingly overwhelming tide it was surprising, therefore, to learn of the Irish Government’s proposals to establish a statutory press council there. Such a move caused concern and disappointment throughout the self-regulatory community. When meeting for its annual conference in September, the members of AIPCE issued a statement responding ‘with alarm’ to the proposals of the Irish Government:

“This proposed system would not only go against the trend in Europe, and much of the world - it would also diminish press freedom and undermine the independence of Irish newspapers.

We therefore call on the Irish Government to work with the NNI [National Newspapers of Ireland] towards the establishment of a press council free of State control and involving the public – in the best interests of the Irish people.”

AIPCE annual conference

The AIPCE gathering in Stockholm was perhaps the most successful in its five-year history, with delegates from seventeen organisations present to exchange experiences and ideas. For the first time representatives took part in mock adjudications of real complaints from countries other than their own – the outcome of which clearly demonstrated the folly of those who push for pan-European regulation of the press. The debates on each different case illustrated that different standards apply in different cultures; that what is considered an intrusion in the UK might not necessarily be elsewhere. This was demonstrated by the PCC delegates’ presentation of the infamous ‘butterscotch tart’ case, when a complaint was upheld from a man who was surreptitiously photographed eating a tart in a quiet cafe.

AIPCE meetings can be particularly important for newly established councils or for those that are under threat. Unfortunately, however, the cost of attending the annual conference can be prohibitive for some - which is why delegates in Stockholm resolved to set up a fund which might be used for less well off counterparts to cover their expenses in future. The PCC has already taken steps towards finding suitable donors and it is hoped that sufficient funds will emerge in time for the 2004 AIPCE conference in Cyprus.

The Bosnian Press Council

As a further sign of the PCC's commitment to press self-regulation beyond the borders of the UK, Professor Pinker has continued in his role as International Chairman of the Bosnian Press Council – and has been asked to remain at the head of the organisation for a further year. Establishing a self-regulatory system from scratch is never an easy task and particularly so in a country that remains economically and politically unstable. Nevertheless, great strides have been taken in 2003 and the Council is now on a sounder footing than ever before, helping members of the public and encouraging editors to follow the Code of Practice.

International visitors and visits

In October the Commission was pleased to welcome the director and complaints officer of the Bosnian Press Council to its offices in order to gain an insight into the day-to-day workings of the PCC. A delegation from the Journalistic Ethics Commission of Ukraine also visited Salisbury Square at that time and enjoyed a meeting with PCC staff and former Commission member Baroness Smith.

Lady Smith is currently seeking to establish a programme for UK journalists to gain a greater understanding of the former Soviet state - and its media in particular. The PCC has been delighted to offer advice and support - and hopes that the programme will encourage comparisons of the similar self-regulatory mechanisms in those two countries.

Other bilateral meetings have been held in London with the secretary-general of the Norwegian Press Council and representatives of the Luxembourg and Catalonia self-regulatory bodies, while discussions have taken place overseas with media regulators in Holland and Estonia. Numerous other international representatives visited the Commission's offices during the course of the year in order to be briefed on the work of the PCC and on the precepts of self-regulation in general. Many of these briefings were arranged in conjunction with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

We have also continued to work in partnership with the Commonwealth Press Union, which has been building on the success of its 2002 conference series to promote press freedom and self-regulation - a series with which the Commission was closely involved.

Ultimately, the success of press self-regulation is demonstrated by the fact that press councils are continuing to proliferate throughout the world. It is in the Commission’s own interests that they should be encouraged – something that was amply demonstrated by the international submissions to the Select Committee. The PCC will therefore continue to offer support and advice to all those who request it.