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Confusion reigns over pledge on Northern Ireland press review


Confusion reigned this month over an apparent commitment by UK Culture Minister Matt Hancock to establish what DUP MP Ian Paisley described as a “Leveson for Northern Ireland”. No sooner had the NUJ demanded clarification of the proposed review of press standards in Northern Ireland than Mr Hancock’s officials were stressing that there would not be a special inquiry for Northern Ireland, but there will be a different type of review. In the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 9th, the government appeared to accept a proposal for a review of press standards in Northern Ireland while successfully opposing a proposal for a second stage Leveson Inquiry in the UK. The promised Northern Ireland review would coincide with a UK-wide review of journalists' compliance with new data protection regulations. Northern Ireland was excluded from the remit


of the original inquiry, although a number of Northern Ireland witnesses gave evidence to Lord Justice Leveson, including local newspaper editors.


Mr Hancock caused widespread surprise when he appeared to agree with Mr Paisley that he was proposing a special inquiry and appointed an individual to oversee the review. The following day, Assistant General Secretary Séamus Dooley responded by saying there was


Séamus Dooley: different model may be a good idea. Photo: Paul Hermann


a need for "absolute clarity" on the scope and


nature of any inquiry. In a statement he said: "The NUJ will be


seeking full consultation on the terms of reference of the proposed inquiry by an independent reviewer appointed by UK Culture Minister, Matt Hancock.” That was Thursday. By Friday morning the Irish News was


reporting that there would be no special inquiry for the North, vindicating the NUJ’s call for clarity. Yes, there would be an independent person appointed but there would also be an independent person appointed in England, Scotland and Wales. So when is a review not a review? Séamus commented: “There is a compelling


case for a broad-ranging commission, which would examine the range of challenges facing journalism in Northern Ireland, including economic challenges faced by the industry, conditions of employment, recent threats to journalists and the failure of the PSNI to properly investigate the murder of Martin O'Hagan. The lack of media diversity and difficulties faced by those seeking to enter the profession, including women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds is also of concern. If there is to be an inquiry into the press in Northern Ireland let it be independent, meaningful and worthwhile. The issues raised by Leveson were not relevant to Northern Ireland, so a different model may be a good idea.”


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