What is a Press Council?
A Press Council is a media self-regulatory mechanism that aims at making every media outlet follow a series of overall accepted values (ethical principles). A Press Council is mainly responsible for settling amicably and in a short time (two to three months) conflicts arising between readers and the media. Therefore, the Council ensures the quality of information received by the public, proving that journalists are responsible and there is no need for a media regulation by the government. The Press Council also defends and promotes press freedom, lobbies amendment of laws in the field of press, performs studies, opinion polls, etc in the field of media, and promotes media accountability by various means. In some countries Press Councils carry out their activity on basis of a code of conduct approved by the media and journalist organizations. Their members are representatives of both the public and journalists.
Where Do Press Councils Exist?
The first Press Council was created in 1916 in Sweden as an independent self-regulatory mechanism. Following the Second World War Press Councils were also established in Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Netherlands and other countries in Western Europe. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the former socialist bloc, Press Councils appeared in Estonia, the Russian Federation, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Armenia, etc. In most countries of Western Europe the ethical councils have succeeded in protecting the media from legal regulation and increasing its credibility.
What Is the Purpose of a Press Council?
A Press Council aims at increasing the credibility and confidence of readers in mass media, preventing the interference of the state and public authorities in the activity of the media, enhancing the quality standards on the media market; reducing the number of civil cases (related to the protection of honor and dignity) filed against journalists and newspapers.
How Does a Press Council Work?
The Press Council receives complaints from citizens who consider that a certain published material infringed ethical norms. After having heard the parties involved in the litigation, the Council negotiates compromise solutions acceptable both for the media and the media consumers, such as giving up the complaint, publishing the requested rectifications, providing space for publishing the answers to the published material etc. If the parties do not reach a compromise themselves, the Press Council shall deliberate on the complaint and issue a decision. The Council shall not impose pecuniary sanctions. The most frequent punishment is the public shame for being found guilty of violating ethical norms.
