How should the PCC be reformed? That’s the challenge laid down by the Media Standards Trust and taken up by @JTownend and @currybet
I like Martin’s proposals but would go much further.
1. Financial recompense for the victim and penalty for the publisher
Firstly, because a misleading article can cause significant personal loss, trauma and distress. It can also cost money to repair the damage. Financial recompense would reflect this, discourage the newspaper from publishing tendentious claims and discourage people from involving the courts.
2. The PCC needs to be citizen led
Newspapers are published for people. They are bought by people. They benefit citizens in lots of different ways. The complaints process should be citizen led. This would engage people in media standards, make newspapers more accountable (falling sales hasn’t had that affect) and rebuild trust in journalism.
3. Develop a proactive capacity
The PCC should initiate investigation of problematic areas of reporting (traveller communities, muslims, immigrants – the usual) much as any regulator would do. Building on Martin Belam’s proposal, it would also have the capacity to receive a super-complaint from a lobby organisation.
Any other ideas? I promise to send them on to the Media Standards Trust.
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