The Law Commission New Media NPA Response

The Law Commission New Media NPA Response

The Law Commission’s support for media self-regulation, independent of government, is welcomed by the Newspaper Publishers’ Association.

So, too, is the acknowledgement that the media in this country does act responsibly and recognizes ethical standards and responsibilities do go hand in hand with media privileges.

The NPA, representing the country’s daily and weekly newspapers and their websites, was responding to today’s release of the commission report into the new media regulation.

Publishers will accept the invitation to participate in an establishment group to consider the optimum regulatory framework of that course is decided on by the Government.

“But is not as if the current system is broken, the online gaps are being addressed and the public does have redress”, NPA editorial advisor Tim Pankhurst said.

“In seeking to regulate the rapidly changing media environment driven by the internet explosion the commission does recognize a free and independent media is a fundamental tenet of a democracy and that this must be protected.

“That is the publishers’ non-negotiable bottom line as well.”

He said there was no argument the right to publish carries responsibilities and this needs to be recognized and supported by those who wish to come under the media umbrella. It is the form such regulation should take that is at issue.

It remains the NPA position that the existing Press Council, which has served the New Zealand public well for 40 years, is well placed to assume the role of the wider body proposed by the commission.

It is independently funded by the industry and has proved to be an inexpensive, effective and timely means of giving redress to those who feel they have been unfairly treated.

The council has extended its remit to include complaints against online sites that are effectively extensions of the print mastheads and has also taken on coverage of an independent site and is considering others.

It has proposed more prominent corrections and publications of its findings, with an electronic link to its decisions in the case of websites, and publishers have accepted this.

“There is no argument that the news media should continue to be held accountable for accuracy, fairness and balance, respect for privacy, a commitment to public interest, transparency and good taste and decency,” Pankhurst said.

“These standards are as important as they ever were. But there will continue to be debate about where the boundaries lie.”

ENDS

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