The Government believes that a free press is vital in a democracy, and that effective self-regulation remains the best way of ensuring high editorial standards.

 

Journalists and newspapers must abide by the law, of course, but editors also sign up to a Code of Practice which is overseen by the Press Complaints Commission.

 

Amongst other things, the Code covers accuracy, privacy and harassment. The Government expects the press to abide by the rules and commitments enshrined in the Code, and has no plans to introduce legislation that would regulate the press.

 

A copy of the Code can be seen on the Press Complaints Commission's website at http://www.pcc.org.uk/.

 

People who believe that newspapers have breached any clause of the Code can make a complaint to the Commission. Details on how to do this can be found on the website.

 

In 2002, the PCC received 2,630 complaints – 400 fewer than in 2001; 56% of these were about accuracy of reporting. The majority of cases are resolved without the need for adjudication (by, for example, the newspaper publishing a correction or an apology if one is appropriate).  The Commission issued a full adjudication on just 36 cases – upholding 17 and rejecting 19.

 

DCMS maintains a watching brief, and occasionally the Government will work with the PCC on improving the Code.  Most recently this happened when the Code was amended to ban payments to witnesses for stories in active court cases, or in cases that are likely to become active.