Press council urged

A pressure group critical of sensationalist media reports has called for a press council to be set up after a large majority of respondents to its survey expressed concern at newspaper intrusions into privacy.

The Society for Truth and Light said the council should be free from government control and should punish media which carried violent and obscene reports.

Some 85 per cent of respondents said the level of intrusion was serious and 75 per cent were not convinced the press could enhance protection of privacy by self-regulation. A total of 646 people were interviewed.

Less than 20 per cent agreed a press council should be indirectly appointed by the Chief Executive.