THE reduction of VAT on newspapers, the appointment of a press ombudsman and a reforms of the laws of defamation are the three key recommendations from the Commission on the Newspaper Industry.
The commission has one last meeting, on Thursday next, before its report is sent to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton. The Minister has promised to publish the report.
The commission finalised its recommendations last weekend, when it held a three day meetings in a Dublin hotel to finish the report, which has run nearly five months over the original dead line. It is believed that the report, will be about 60 pages long, butt with the appendices, will run to about 130 pages.
The Irish Times had learned that the commission is recommending that VAT is reduced to zero rate, taking it from the highest in Europe, at 12.5 per cent, down to the same level as the British press.
It is understood this is being recommended so as to give a level playing pitch" to Irish newspapers that are facing competition from British newspapers.
The ombudsman would be funded by the newspaper industry, but given legal protection, to ensure his or her independence. According to the terms of reference, the commission was to investigate the correct balance between privacy and press freedom including consideration of the desirability of a mechanism for complaint".
It is believed that the commission did consider a press council, but rejected it in favour of the ombudsman idea. The ombudsman would investigate complaints made against the press and adjudicate.
The reform of libel laws has long been a contentious issue and the National Newspapers of Ireland has even published its own draft Bill. The Law Reform Commission recommended sweeping reforms, which, it is believed forms the basis for the commissions recommendations.
The first Commission On the Newspaper Industry was announced in July last year following the collapse of the Irish Press group. Mr Bruton, as the Minister responsible, had earlier held a half day seminar on the industry, just prior to the closure of the three newspaper titles. He had also received a damming report from the Competition Authority. It said Independent Newspapers had acted in an anti competitive manner and had abused its dominant position by purchasing a shareholding in the Irish Press and giving a loan.
Mr Bruton announced the setting up of a commission and its very wide ranging terms of reference, but he did not actually announce its composition until September. The Minister then appointed 21 people, under the chairmanship of retired Chief Justice, Mr Justice Thomas Finlay.
The delay in setting up the commission probably made its deadline of the end of January of this year unworkable. However, more significant was the sheer number of submissions received from many interest groups, as well as industry groups.
A report from Coopers and Lybrand was commissioned, as was as a survey of people's attitudes towards newspapers, which, it is believed, gave a very positive response.
The report will probably be on the Minister's desk next week, if Thursday's meeting goes according to plan. It will then be up to Mr Bruton to decide when it should be published. The recommendations will then, it is believed, be considered by Government.