In February 2009, the MST published A More Accountable Press, a critique of the current system of press self-regulation, including the Press Complaints Commission. In January 2010 the MST published its recommendations for reform of the PCC; 19 of these 28 recommendations were partially or fully supported by the PCC’s own governance review. In June 2012, the MST submitted a proposal – A Free and Accountable Media – to the Leveson Inquiry into the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the Press. This sets out a forward-thinking model to replace the PCC and to protect against future abuses of power by sections of the media. The Trust continues to monitor the current system – through PCC Watch – and to press for further reform.
A More Accountable Press
This diagnostic report (February 2009) assessed the effectiveness of the current system of press self-regulation. The review found that the existing system was unable to deal with the serious and growing threats to press standards and press freedom in a converged media world.
Read the report, press release and more information
Recommendations for Reform
The MST’s submission to the independent review of governance commissioned by the PCC. Published in January 2010, the MST’s second report on self-regulation – Can independent self-regulation keep standards high and preserve press freedom? – made 28 recommendations for reform.
Read the report, press release and more
A Free and Accountable Media
The MST’s submission to the Leveson Inquiry into the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the Press. The report proposes that voluntary self-regulation of the press has demonstrably failed and that a new system, underpinned by statute, is necessary to protect the public from further abuses of power and to grant them adequate means of redress.
