Media

• For years the Government and the press have disagreed about how best to limit the excesses of some sections of the media while not endangering press freedom. Resolution appears to be at hand with new proposals for a complaints procedure and an independent press council, being put forward by the newspaper and magazine publishing industry. Among the proposals are the establishment of a press council comprising 13 members, and the appointment of a press ombudsman to deal with complaints. These institutions will now be formalised in new defamation legislation currently being enacted by the Oireachtas.