The Government appears "determined to have control" over a new body to monitor the press, the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) claimed today.
There has been strong reaction to an expert group's proposal that a new press council should be set up on a statutory basis and today NNI co-ordinating director, Mr Frank Cullen, told a Dublin Rotary Club lunch that the proposal was counter to practise in other Western countries.
"The very idea of a State-controlled press council is unacceptable [and] runs counter, not only to press freedom, but to the basic constitutional right of free speech.
"Practically every country in Europe has a press council that is independent. And that is what Irish newspapers want too: a regulatory system that is independent of both Government and media, implementing a code of standards that has been drawn up by those who are going to have to comply with it.
"However, it seems the Irish Government is determined to have control over any press council that is established in Ireland. This is clearly at odds with the situation throughout Europe, and in our view it is not in the public interest," Mr Cullen said.
He referred to a statement issued by members of the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE) which expressed "alarm" at the Irish proposals.
A State-appointed regulator was suggested by the Legal Advisory Group on Defamation which reports to the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Mr McDowell.
The NNI welcome reform of Ireland's libel laws which they say are outdated and needs changed "as a matter of urgency".