Media Council Announces New Launch Date
Four months after the Media Council was supposed to launch, the working group have released a statement saying it will launch next month. In May of last year, the working group said they would form a Media Council in response to a proposed media council bill set forth by Government.
The full statement follows below:
A launch date for the Media Council of Bermuda has been tentatively set for February 1.
As previously announced, the eight-strong Media Council was established in October.
A website has also been built but various administrative delays, coupled with the holiday season, have stalled an official launch.
Measures are being taken to protect council members from legal liability and that process is drawing nearer to completion.
We regret the delays but now look forward to a February launch.
To recap, the Media Council will have two main functions — to help resolve complaints against the media and to protect freedom of expression. The complaints procedure will be free, straightforward and swift.
As previously stated, the Media Council will not hear retroactive complaints, only those relating to stories that appear subsequent to its official launch.
Eighteen local media outlets have signed-up in support of the Media Council of Bermuda and have agreed to adopt a common Code of Practice.
The Media Working Group:
Thaao Dill (Inter-Island Communications)
Chris Lodge (DeFontes Broadcasting Co.)
Tony McWilliam (Bermuda Sun)
Tracey Neale (Bermuda Broadcasting Co.)
Bill Zuill (The Royal Gazette)
