The new chairman of the Press Complaints Commission has vowed to listen to the views of those who use the media watchdog after taking up the reins today.

Baroness Peta Buscombe was appointed chair of the press watchdog in November, replacing Sir Christopher Meyer.

Today she said the first priority of her three-year tenure was to take on board all views about the PCC from the people who use it.

“It is clear that there are a number of significant issues facing the PCC at the moment, which I look forward to tackling,” she said.

“They include the evolving relationship between self-regulation and the law, the impact of the expansion of newspaper products online such as Sun Talk, the forthcoming Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report, and how certain European directives will be implemented.

“But the priority in my first few weeks as Chairman will be to listen: to those who use the PCC, to find out what they think of our service and how it can be improved; and to people in all parts of the industry – magazines, regional and local press, and newspapers in all corners of the UK.

“I will shortly be going to Manchester, Edinburgh, Farnham, and Dundee to start this process which will continue into the summer and beyond.”