PRIVATE BILL WITHDRAWN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27036, 11 May 1953, Page 9

PRIVATE BILL WITHDRAWN

MEASURE TO SET UP PRESS COUNCIL LONDON, May 8. A Labour member of the House of Commons, Mr James Simmons, today withdrew a private member’s bill which sought to force the British newspaper industry by law to set up a press council to safeguard journalistic ethics. The bill had been “talked out” last November. _ and the debate was adjourned indefinitely. Since then the newspaper industry has drafted proposals for a voluntary press council to be set up on July 1. When the bill came up for discussion again today, Mr Simmons said they ought to give the voluntary press council a chance to prove its competence to do the job. If it failed, Labour members would again demand that a council should be set up by law to include lay members and an independent chairman. The British newspaper owners and organisations representing journalists have agreed to draft proposals for a press council to preserve established freedom of the British press. The council, comprising 15 editorial and 10 managerial representatives, will work to maintain the character of the British press in accordance with the highest professional and commercial standarfis. The council will keep under review any developments likely to restrict the supply of information of public interest and importance, and will promote and encourage methods of recruitment, education and training of jouralists.