The Press Complaints Commission has published its response to the Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport’s report into privacy and media intrusion.
Some of the committee’s 23 proposals on reform echo moves already under way by the press watchdog to improve its work. But the Commission will not take forward some of the proposals – such as a system of fines for newspapers which breach the Editors’ Code of Practice – and has outlined the reasons why.

The third county edition of Archant magazine success story Let’s Talk! has hit the news stands in Essex this week.
The Let’s Talk! brand was launched in 2002 by Archant Norfolk – and it became such a success that Archant Suffolk launched its own edition in March last year. The magazines, which are aimed at the 55 plus market, include active lifestyle, nostalgia, reader memories and country matters.

The Press Association has acquired Lovelacemedia Ltd, the independent provider of news and information to businesses in the telecoms, media, and technology sectors.
Lovelacemedia, which is already based at PA’s London headquarters, will operate as a separate division within The Press Association and continue to develop under the management of founder Graham Lovelace.

East Belfast Publishing Ltd is set to launch a new weekly title, the East Belfast Observer on March 4.
The new paper, a weekly mid-market title will be distributed across the greater east Belfast and Castlereagh areas. Key editorial and advertising staff are in place, and the design has already been worked on for several months.

Students on a new online journalism training course run by Cleland Thom Journalism Training Services sat 18 NCTJ Preliminary Exams between them – and achieved 17 passes, including six distinctions.
The course has students from national and local newspapers, the BBC and commercial radio stations as well as raw beginners.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]