Premier backs self-regulating media council

Premier, Dr. Ewart F. Brown is expected to advise the House of Assembly on Monday (July 19) that the Media Council Act 2010 will not be taken up by the Government in this Session.

In a statement to the House the Premier will advise MPs “the steps taken (by the media) thus far are positive ones and must be encouraged...”

While the Bill will remain on the Order Paper, it will not be taken up and a new Session of the Legislature would have to reintroduce it.

Urging the continued interface with the public, the Premier will also call for “ownership of the Code of Practice” to be “fostered through ease of access and a committed Public Relations campaign to ensure that the public is well informed of its rights...”

The House of Assembly meets twice this week to deal with items remaining on the Order Paper before the end of this Session, which will be the Premier's last before he steps down as an MP in October.