SECTOR 4 The media practice high levels of professional standards. 4.1 The media follow voluntary codes of professional standards, which are enforced by self–regulatory bodies that deal with complaints from the public. Print In August 2007 the media industry established a Press Council which adjudicates complaints from the public through the Ombudsman and the Press Appeals Panel. (Previously there had only been a Press Ombudsman). Rulings are based on a code of conduct developed through a consultative process by the media industry. Participation is voluntary but nearly 700 publications subscribe to this system, including all major newspapers and magazines. The Press Council consists of six public and six media representatives. Media organisations nominate their representatives whilst an appointments panel comprising three council members and a judge chooses the public representatives from among nominations received in response to advertisements in the press. Members of the public who take issue with an article or perceived unfair treatment by the media bring their complaint to the Press Ombudsman and have to sign a waiver forfeiting their right to civil litigation over the matter. If the Ombudsman cannot resolve the case, he will hold a hearing with two members of the council (one journalist and one public representative). Any appeals against the Ombudsman’s finding (either from the complainant or the defending newspaper) will go before an Appeals Panel of three members – a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal as chair and one representative each of the public and the press. The Ombudsman or the Appeals Panel can demand that the newspaper found to have violated of the code publish a correction and an apology prominently, as well as the findings of the Council. This is regarded as a severe sanction in the industry: having to make such a public apology, let alone repeated apologies, could bring the paper into disrepute and endanger its credibility with its readers. Approaching the Press Ombudsman is considered a good, efficient and speedy method of resolving complaints especially for members of the public who cannot afford to pursue civil litigation. But the system does have shortcomings. It is questionable that complainants should have to waive their right to approach civil courts if they are not satisfied with a finding, because the right to litigation 58 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2010