Joint Committee on the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill Written Evidence


Memorandum from the Newspaper Society (DDB 25)

  With reference to the above, we would like to comment in particular on clause 1 of the draft Bill namely, the proposal to bring third party publishers as well as advertisers within the scope of the DDA's provisions prohibiting discriminatory job advertisements. While we understand the rationale for extending the existing provision, we nevertheless stress the importance to our industry of retaining a defence as set out in clause 1(2) of the draft Bill.

  Local and regional newspapers operate in very busy environments and work to extreme high standards, which includes vetting advertisement that are submitted for publication to ensure fulfilment with legal and regulatory requirements. This ensures that local and regional newspapers attract quality levels of reader trust and satisfaction. However, despite stringent checks, newspapers are ultimately at the mercy of statements made to them, and evidence given in support of such statements, by the advertiser.

  It is therefore imperative that the new subsections (2A) and (2B) (as inserted by clause 1(2)) which set out the circumstances in which a third party publisher will not be liable for publishing a discriminatory advertisement under new subsection (1), are in no way removed or amended to the detriment of newspapers.

  The Newspaper Society represents and promotes the interests of the publishers of Britain's local and regional press, who collectively own over 1,300 daily and weekly, paid-for and free, newspaper titles.

February 2004



 
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