New poll shows backing for press self-regulation but not PCC says Media Standards Trust

A new opinion poll published today shows strong public support for self-regulation of the press rather than it being policed by a government regulator.

Only 17% of the public were in favour of a government regulator vs 52% who wanted an independent self-regulatory body.

The Media Standards Trust, which commissioned the poll conducted by Ipsos-MORI, says the results "show public expectations of independent press self-regulation far exceed the role, responsibilities and resources of the PCC."

The poll revealed:

• 52% of the public want the press regulated by an independent self-regulatory body vs only 8% who want a newspaper industry complaints body like the PCC.
• 73% of people think the chief purpose of this body should be to monitor compliance with the code of practice and conduct investigations where there is public concern vs 12% who believe it should be to mediate complaints between newspapers and complainants.
• Almost half (48%) of the public think this body should be obligated to investigate where there is evidence of inaccuracy in newspapers vs 5% who think it should wait for a complaint from someone directly referred to in an article.
• 85% of the public think it would be appropriate to impose fines on newspapers, in serious cases.
• 79% think it important that the minutes of PCC meetings be made public.

Martin Moore, director of the Media Standards Trust said: “This research shows there is a significant gap between public expectations of press self-regulation and what the current system can, and does, provide. It is critical that the PCC’s current governance review works out how best to meet this challenge.”