Aproposal by the Law Reform Commission to set up a media watchdog to curb invasions of privacy by the press has sparked public concern. The proposed body would safeguard press freedom, enhance credibility and journalistic ethics, as well as handling intrusion of privacy cases and imposing fines of up to $1 million. Members of the council would be appointed by a committee selected by a person recognised by the Chief Executive. The commission said press councils already existed in many countries. But according to its report, press bodies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Sweden can only investigate and reprimand newspapers or magazines that are members and, in some cases, only through voluntary co-operation. However, journalists, legislators and newspapers opposed the move, saying that self-discipline was better than establishing a body to monitor the press. Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said the proposal would damage press freedom, particularly when the SAR's democratic structure was not solid and Beijing kept making in timidating remarks about the media. Ronald Chiu Ying-chun of the News Executives' Association said the industry should take the lead to promote its code of conduct, not the Government. 'It should not give the disciplining of the press to outsiders,' he said. Apple Daily editor-in-chief Ip Yut-kin said the proposal was an attempt to gag the press. 'Why are there not such councils for barristers, accountants or doctors, only the press?' he said. HKJA chairman Mak Yin-ting said: 'It could very likely become a tool for the Government to control the press and this could have a great impact on news gathering and could seriously damage news freedom.' Executive Council convenor Leung Chun-ying said the Government did not want to curtail press freedom. But Executive councillors Yang Ti Liang and Tam Yiu-chung said a watchdog set up by journalists would be more appropriate. Mr Yang, a former chief justice, did not think the Government should play a role in monitoring the press. Although newspapers sometimes printed unfounded or exaggerated reports, it was better to leave the media to set up a self-regulating mechanism, he said. Singer Anita Mui Yim-fong said the setting up of a press council could help to protect artists' privacy. Mui said she was willing to co-operate with the media in public events but artists should be able to lead private lives as ordinary people. She said paparazzi were too intrusive. However, Legislator Lee Wing-tat, who has also been tar geted by paparazzi, said a press council was unnecessary. 'I believe self-regulation by the professionals is better . . . I think it is better to leave it to them. 'As a public figure, I am already prepared for the fact the boundaries of my private life will be smaller than other people's.' Lawmakers and journalists say press council proposal could damage freedom of speech