Ms Susan McKay:

Online publications have been members of the Press Council for quite a while. The recognition in law is quite belated. It is welcome because it puts it down in print but it is something that has been the case for quite a time. What is sometimes challenging is to check out that publications are giving due prominence to their publication of, for example, my decision or the decision of the Press Council or an appeal of one of my decisions. That is slightly different in online publications than in print publications but the principles are exactly the same.

It could become challenging if we were appointed to or if we did take on the role of dealing with publications by broadcast organisations. That would mean that some parts of the output of a broadcaster - those which are broadcast on air, whether on radio, TV or otherwise - would be statutorily regulated whereas our regulation is self-regulation. It is voluntary and people join the Press Council. They are not compelled to do so. That is a really important principle.