Lord Hunt: UK press regulation seen as world 'benchmark'

The future regulation of the UK press will "be seen as a benchmark for other countries across the world", chairman of the Press Complaints Commission Lord Hunt said today, adding that other countries would be failed by the UK "resorting to legislation".

Hunt added that use of legislation in the UK could "trigger" legislation in other countries which he said will model their own systems on that in the UK where the freedom of the press is "looked at with envy by people in other countries".

In a speech to the Westminster Media Forum today Lord Hunt sought to explain his "fundamental" belief that self regulation is the way forward via a contractual agreement, despite claims by others such as MP Chris Bryant who has called for a completely independent regulator to take the place of the PCC which has announced its closure and plans for a new body.

"I don't like the idea of licensing, I don't like idea of anyone being struck off, because the freedom to write is something so basic and should be preserved at all costs," Hunt said.

He added: "I think the press have an unrivalled opportunity at last to put forward a system of self regulation".

"I still don't know why it hasn't been done but we now have a great opportunity to keep the complaints handling work going but for the first time ever to have robust regulation with teeth, and that means fining."

"I think if we do at last have a robust system then at least we will be able to keep the freedom of the press, freedom of expression, in a way all journalists would want," he added.

"Every journalist I know, has the highest professional standards. It's about time they came forward with ideas to build on their own professional standards."

He added that self regulation will provide the "flexiblity" necessary "as we move into a changing world". According to Hunt one online news outlet has already signed up to the "new self regulator regime".

On the issue of complaince, he discussed the idea of have a contractual system which members of the system would sign up to.

"I want a contract that no one in their right mind would refuse to sign up to," Hunt said, adding that otherwise he may "have to hand back the baton to Leveson", and then Parliament, which he said he would "greatly regret".

But he added that he is "not in the business of failure" and he "will do everything I can to make sure the scheme of self regulation will succeed."

When asked if public trust in a self regulatory system can be gained, Hunt said: "I think it will be hugely difficult but I wouldn't be embarking on this if I didn't think it was possible."

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