PCC feels that front-page adjudications could help restore confidence in the press
The Press Complaints Commission is claiming that front page adjudications might help restore confidence in the press in the wake of the News of the World phone-hacking scandal.
According to a report in The Guardian, as part of a wide-ranging shakeup of press self-regulation proposed by the PCC, ...”newspapers would be obliged to trail brokered corrections on the front page as part of a wide-ranging shakeup of press self-regulation proposed by the Press Complaints Commission.
“Responding to the frequent criticism that apologies lack prominence, the PCC hopes that highlighting its adjudications on the front page would help restore public confidence in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.”
The Guardian reports that the proposal is part of a package of measures that the PCC will put to a summit of newspaper and magazine editors scheduled for December 15.
The Daily Mail group and Trinity Mirror have both recently introduced a page two corrections column.
However, points out The Guardian: “Despite this development, the PCC wants to boost the prominence of full rulings in any newspaper it has found against.
“Insiders at the body recognise substantial reform is necessary, although there is some nervousness as to whether it is appropriate presenting a final package of measures before Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry has concluded.
“The PCC does not want to be seen to be forcing the judge's hand.”
One problem with the current PCC set-up is that Richard Desmond, the owner of the Daily Express and Daily Star withdrew his membership and has resolutely refused to reconsider his decision.