UK press regulation charter put on hold

A controversial new press regulation charter, proposed in the wake of a huge phone-hacking scandal in Britain, has been put on hold to consider the alternative proposals put forward by the newspaper industry.
The cross-party proposals for the 'Royal Charter' to underpin greater self regulation among the country's media outlets had been opposed by a number of major newspaper bosses as a threat to press freedom.
A spokesperson of Prime Minister David Cameron's office has now said it "made sense" for both versions to be considered at the same time.
The government's charter was due to be presented to the Queen on May 15 by the Lord President of the Privy Council, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

It was drafted following the Leveson Inquiry report in November 2012 into the practises of British press following allegations of phone-hacking by journalists at Rupert Murdoch-owned News International.
The inquiry had found that the existing Press Complaints Commission was not sufficient for the regulatory task and that a new independent body with legal sanctions was required.

However, the newspaper industry presented its own plan of a rigorous system of regulation, which kept the press free from state interference.
According to this proposed system, fines of up to 1 million pounds can be imposed, along with giving readers the chance to have their say over how journalists should behave.

"We have always said the 'Independent Royal Charter' would be open to consultation and are confident it will receive the widespread public support shown in opinion polls. It already has the backing of the vast majority of the newspaper and magazine industry," the Newspaper Society said in its statement in reference to the industry's own charter.
The Hacked Off group, which is fronted by the actor Hugh Grant and campaigns for tighter press regulation, said: "Press reform has been overdue for decades. If there is another delay for a further month, that can be borne."
The Guardian and the Independent are the only two national newspaper titles, out of 11, that have not signed up to the alternative proposal, which has received the support of some politicians like London Mayor Boris Johnson and Commons culture committee chairman John Whittingdale too.

The government's proposed charter had come under criticism from freedom of expression campaigners and the latest delay is expected to lead to a fresh approach to tackling the issue.