The committee, which reviews and revises the voluntary code of standards overseen by the Press Complaints Commission, invited him to replace Les Hinton, the chairman since January 1999.

The former executive chairman of News International resigned after being appointed chief executive of Dow Jones in New York.

Paul Dacre, who is also editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers, said: "I am a passionate supporter of the principle of self-regulation, press freedom and a code which reflects both the concerns of newspapers and needs of the public which it serves."

Code committee secretary Ian Beales said: "The chairman's role requires an eminent figure respected by the whole press industry - national, regional and magazines - and by government and civil society.

"Paul Dacre was the unanimous choice. The committee is delighted that he has agreed to take it on."

Paul will be formally installed in April and will step down as a member of the Press Complaints Commission.

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