A new “early warning system” has been promised by Home Secretary Jack Straw to avoid unintended restrictions on press reporting and freedom of expression in all new legislation.

The pledge follows a letter sent by Newspaper Society director David Newell in April which highlighted the regional newspaper industry’s concerns over open justice and freedom of expression issues. He pointed out that legislation had been introduced on many occasions which had had unintended consequences for the media.

He suggested an open justice, or freedom of expression, audit for all forthcoming legislation, aimed at flagging up media reporting and related issues in advance of the law being introduced.

In his reply, Mr Straw wrote: “I agree that if new legislation does impact on press and media reporting it is important that the effect and purpose are clear and that there are no unintended restrictions… I have, therefore, asked officials to ensure that… good practice is applied in respect of all Bills where there is any impact, or potential impact, on media reporting.”

Mr Newell said: “I welcome this development. It will now be up to all media organisations to ensure that they respond to the Home Secretary’s initiative and help the government identify any potential restrictions on freedom of expression early in the consultation stage.”

Mr Straw’s reply said he had asked officials to ensure that:

• any policy proposals which do have an implication for media reporting are clearly explained in consultation papers;
• media representatives, such as the Newspaper Society, are consulted at an early stage and receive consultation papers;
• documentation published with Bills explains any impact on media reporting clearly.

The regional newspaper industry and others have been campaigning this year for changes to four specific Bills which threatened open justice and media reporting: the Freedom of Information Bill, the Local Government Bill, the Terrorism Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill.