APPENDIX 24
Memorandum submitted by the Swedish Press
Council
We have been asked by our colleagues and friends
in the Press Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom to explain
in a few words the importance of self-regulation of the press
in Sweden.
The beginning of this self-regulation dates
back to 1916 when the Swedish Press Council was founded by independent
press organisations. At that time the entire council consisted
of representatives of the press. The system was revised and expanded
in 1969 when representatives of the general public were added
to the council. The press organisations have no influence whatsoever
over the selection and appointment of those representatives.
The office of the Press Ombudsman (PO) was founded
at the same time. The main tasks of the Press Ombudsman are:
1. To receive and investigate complaints
from individuals who feel personally offended by something that
has been published in a newspaper or magazine.
2. To be a public spokesman for responsible
journalism and good press ethics.
The Press Ombudsman may independently write
off complaints that he finds unfounded. If he, however, is of
the opinion that a newspaper deserves formal criticism for what
it published he must refer the issue for decision by the Press
Council. Around 15% of the complaints received by the Press Ombudsman
result in formal criticism by the Press Council. The newspaper
in question is obliged to publish the criticism and to pay a fee
which contributes to financing the self-regulatory system. The
Press Ombudsman and the Press Council do not treat any requests
from a complainant for economic recompensation.
This voluntary system for strengthening editorial
responsibility and promoting high ethical standards in journalism
is well established in Sweden and enjoys high credibility with
the general public. It is also fully accepted by the press.
The Press Council and the Press Ombudsman take
a great interest in the endeavours to establish systems of journalistic
self-regulation in other countries. A strong network of independent
European press councils has evolved in recent years and contacts
are also being maintained with similar bodies outside Europe.
We cherish these contacts with professional
bodies in other countries. Let it be no secret that the Swedish
Press Council and the Press Ombudsman of Sweden highly value the
professional contacts with our colleagues in the PCC of the UK
whose ethical values and mode of operation resemble our own. We
focus on assisting individuals who have been maltreated by unfair
publications and who feel powerless when faced by powerful media.
Like our British colleagues we see ourselves as guardians of the
right to privacy.
Keeping the strong British tradition of press
freedom in mind we are of the opinion that the PCC plays an important
role in trying to establish editorial responsibility and high
journalistic ethical standards in countries where the freedom
of the press finds itself in a less developed state. Since freedom
of the press enjoys a long history also in our country we look
forward, in the coming years, to fortifying the partnership that
we have had the privilege to develop with our friends in the PCC.
21 January 2003
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