The incoming president of the Society of Editors has pledged to fight for a new database of court orders – to prevent accidental contempt of court by the media.

Manchester Evening News editor Paul Horrocks closed the society's Glasgow conference with the promise that he would continue to press the Government to back such a development – as a database or website.

He said: "It could be established on a subscription basis but would need Government backing to require courts to comply."

It would contain details of all judges' court orders for the whole of the UK.

He also took the opportunity to warn editors and executives present that they must embrace the digital age if they are to prosper.

He said: "If we are willing to embrace the opportunities now available to us, this will be the industry's heyday.

"The companies which will really prosper over the next decade will have a mixed portfolio.

"Now is the time to be bold, to experiment, to be prepared to fail and then have another go - and to consider it is not always what we as editors think the public wants.

"Let the readers and users play more of a part, especially on the Internet."

He also called on universities, colleges and other training institutions to play their part.

He said: "The day of the video journalist is now upon us. That throws challenges out to those training centres and universities charged with giving journalism students the right skills to equip them for this new era."

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