Vexed Bermoothes

The Throne Speech proposes to form a Press Council to “enforce compliance” for Bermuda’s media.

Freedom of the press lies at the foundation of any democracy. The responsible exercise of thisfreedom is equally important. To ensure that journalistic integrity and the freedom of information continue to mature, the Government will pioneer the creation of a Press Council, a self-regulatory body, appointed to enforce compliance with an agreed Code of Practice. Consultation on this initiative will commence in the second quarter of this year.

I am not opposed to a media-controlled Press Council covering the activities of radio, TV, and print in Bermuda. However, I do suspect that Dr. Brown’s intent is to attempt to influence the body to muzzle the media.

The press council must be self-regulatory – so the goal of “enforcing compliance” is a stretch. In essence, the press council sets up a code of practice and supplies an arbitration facility for complaints against its members. Government can get the ball rolling but must then butt out.

Why don’t the island’s media outlets save our busy Government the trouble by moving ahead with their own programme? Most press councils around the world are freestanding, without government involvement.

The Australian Press Council provides an excellent example [PDF].

The specific timing of Q2, not given for any other activity in the Drone Speech, is curious. Could this have anything to do with Dr. Brown’s rumored efforts to set up his own newspaper in Bermuda?

I am glad that Dr. Brown recognises the role of press councils in pursuing freedom of information laws, as this is a central activity for most press councils. It would be truly unreasonable for the Government to pursue a Press Council without simultaneously implementing Public Access to Information laws based on global best practices in Bermuda.