National Newspapers of Ireland, the organisation representing the newspaper industry, has welcomed the heads of the proposed Defamation Bill, which were approved by the Government on Tuesday.
However, the NNI will ask the Minister for Justice to reconsider some areas of the proposed Bill when it comes to the drafting stage.
In particular, it is asking him to consider reducing the proposed limitation period within which actions should be brought from three years to one year. At the moment it is six. In the UK and many other countries the period is one year.
The NNI is also calling on the Minister to consider changing the burden of proof from defendant to plaintiff, in line with other areas of civil law. In a statement on the approval of the heads of the Bill, the NNI said: "NNI believes that the measures indicated by the Minister will help to achieve a better overall balance in the interests of the individual, public media. His proposals provide a wider range of options for vindicating the good name of the individual and clearer parameters for the media, which will ultimately benefit the public's right to know."
It appealed to the Minister to ensure that the legislation could be enacted before the general election.