THE Commission on the Newspaper Industry was launched in September, 1995, by the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Richard Bruton, to consider the following terms of reference:
1. The need to guarantee plurality of ownership, to maintain diversity of editorial viewpoints, necessary for a vigorous democracy and to promote cultural diversity in the industry;
2. The competitiveness of the industry in Ireland which faces growing challenges from imports, both in respect of its costs base, taxation, technology, skills and training; and in respect of the wider business "environment affecting employment and output in the industry;
3. Fair competition both in the market for newspaper sales and in the advertising market;
4. Concentration of ownership in the media generally;
5. The pressure on the industry's ability to provide a range of views and choices reflecting both popular and minority interest at national and local level;
6. The challenge from the growing range of electronic media and its implications for the industry;
7. The correct balance between privacy and press freedom, including consideration of the desirability of a mechanism for complaint and adjudication and of changes in the libel laws;
8. Editorial independence and freedom and the appropriateness of codes of practice in relation to such matters;
9. The importance of the industry in reflecting all aspects of Irish identity;
10. The standard of coverage of important aspects of Irish political, social, economic and cultural life, bearing in mind changes that are occurring in the market place;
11. Other matters which affect the industry;
12. In making recommendations, the Commission shall assess the proper role of the State in relation to such matters, including the applicability of models from other European.