The Report of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry, whose findings are reported in this newspaper today, is an invaluable blueprint for the future. Of itself, it can provide no solutions to the problems of an industry under threat. But it points the way forward for those in political authority if they are of a mind to be of assistance.
It is a balanced document which addresses the strengths and weaknesses of Irish newspapers. It offers no miracle solutions to their problems. It is not unrealistic in its expectations and it is mercifully free of the platitudes which have so often attached to public discussion on the role of the press.
Mr Richard Bruton set up the commission, under the former Chief Justice, Thomas Finlay, while The Irish Press group was in its death throes. In the interim, The Irish Press has been liquidated, the predominant position of Independent Newspapers has been further consolidated and British newspapers, principally those under the control of Mr Rupert Murdoch, have increased their penetration of the Irish market.
It was a commendable initiative by Mr Bruton, providing the opportunity to create some understanding of the underlying problems in the industry, rather than simply reacting on an ad hoc basis to crises as they arise. And Mr Justice Finlay and the members of his group must be congratulated both on the comprehensiveness of their survey and on the dispatch with which they have delivered it.
If the Government acts on the report's findings a number of benefits should flow. British companies will be unable to flood the Irish market with cheap newspapers, published on a mass circulation cost basis. Further aggrandisement by any group would be regulated, taking into account considerations of diversity of views and plurality of titles. A level playing field would exist between Irish newspapers and imports in regard to VAT. (In that event newspaper cover prices would come down - The Irish Times has already pledged itself to pass on any cost savings, in full, to the reader.) The antiquated libel laws would be overhauled. And those who have complaints against the newspapers would have recourse to an independent Ombudsman, without having to go to law.
That the commission's proposals will have the support of Irish newspapers - as distinct from the British imports can hardly be in doubt. But that should be on the basis that they are implemented in full. The Ombudsman proposal, for example, would be unacceptable in isolation for it would simply add one more layer of accountability for journalists and editors who already operate under some of the most restrictive arrangements in the western world. If the commission's recommendation on the Ombudsman is to be implemented, so too should its recommendations on libel.
Producing newspapers particularly serious newspapers in a small country is neither easy nor cheap. There is no other small country which, in addition to the disadvantages of scale, has to face the competition of much larger and very much richer newspapers publishing in the same language from an adjoining jurisdiction. Governments down the years have ignored the plight of Irish newspapers. It took the death of The Irish Press group to get action. Hopefully Mr Bruton and the Cabinet will act swiftly to follow up on the findings of Mr Justice Finlay and his colleagues.