Plans to establish a self-regulating media council have received backing from a dozen media outlets.

The initiative was launched in May by a media working group, comprised of Inter-Island Communications, DeFontes Broadcasting, Bermuda Broadcasting, the Bermuda Sun and The Royal Gazette.

A joint statement issued this afternoon said the group had been joined by Bernews, the Workers' Voice, IslandStats.com, the Bermudian Publishing Co., Bermuda Network News, the blog site 21square.com and Bermudabiographies.bm.

Each entity has agreed to adopt a common code of practice by the end of this month.

"The code of practice will be the primary reference point for the Bermuda Media Council when handling complaints from the public," the statement read.

"We're delighted with the level of cooperation within the industry and will continue to reach out to other media outlets to encourage them to come onboard."

Veteran journalist Meredith Ebbin has been appointed executive officer for the media council and will serve as the contact person for complaints from the public. Ms Ebbin, now semi-retired, runs Bermudabiographies.bm and worked as a print journalist for more than 30 years.

The release said: "She is renowned for scrupulousness in reporting and her experience and credibility make her ideal for the role."

A three-member appointments committee, tasked with selecting members of the media council, has been formed and will be chaired by attorney Venous Memari, former chairman of the Human Rights Commission.

Her colleagues on the committee are Myra Virgil, the programme executive for the Atlantic Philanthropies in Bermuda and a former Director of Human Affairs, and lawyer Leo Mills, a former broadcaster, Cabinet secretary and head of the civil service. The appointments committee will soon start its search for unpaid volunteers to sit on the media council.

The watchdog will have five lay members, including a chairman, with no connection to the media and three members nominated by the media, one each to represent print, broadcast and the Internet.

Yesterday's press release said: "It's important for us to emphasise at this juncture that the Bermuda Media Council's role will be to serve the public, by providing a forum through which they can resolve complaints against the media. The process will be quick, easily accessible and independent."