The idea of a media council is nothing new in Bermuda; politicians and others have been debating it for almost two decades. We take a look here at who has said what over the years.

• February 3, 1993: Progressive Labour Party MP Julian Hall calls for a press council to be formed to ensure journalistic responsibility, during a speech in the House of Assembly.

• June 25, 1993: United Bermuda Party Cabinet Minister Ann Cartwright DeCouto tells the House of Assembly — during a debate on the Broadcasting Commissioners Amendment Act — that she favours a press council to handle complaints about unfair treatment by newspapers. National Liberal Party leader Gilbert Darrell asks why television and radio are singled out for regulation, when the press is "getting away with murder".

• July 21, 1993: PLP leader Frederick Wade urges the creation of an "independent and non-partisan press council". He claims "most unpardonable attacks" are being aimed at MPs and public office candidates.

• February 24, 1999: UBP Senator Maxwell Burgess suggests that a media council "which spoke to some sense of fair reporting" could be set up. PLP Senator Calvin Smith disagrees, arguing that freedom of the press is part of the democratic process. "The last thing we would look to see is increased control," says Sen. Smith. Independent senator Walwyn Hughes states: "We might have our disagreements and views on the media. But the last thing we need is to have our troubles and concerns addressed by the Government."

• August 1999: PLP Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb floats the idea of a press council to investigate alleged abuses. UBP MPs pour scorn on the idea because it wouldn't cover TV and radio but would have representatives from "fringe" publications such as Bermuda Industrial Union's Workers' Voice.

• July 2003: Ms Webb reiterates her call for a press council. She says that in 1999 she "met with the various editors of the newspapers and they all agreed it was a good idea but I don't think they really wanted it. If they were serious they would have done it".

• February 1, 2008: Government announces plans for a media council in its Throne Speech and promises to begin consultation with the media later in the year. Premier Ewart Brown admits that the "atmosphere in the recent [general] election probably made people think about it more".

The February edition of the PLP newsletter The Party Line states: "As the demand for transparency and fairness is apparently increasing, one would hope that the daily, which a large portion of a specific section of the community considers unfair, will advocate with similar vigour for a press council."

Opposition leader Kim Swan says that if the press needs a code of conduct, there should be one for legislators too.

• March 2008: Sixty-four percent of people responding to a poll commissioned by The Royal Gazette support the introduction of a press council to regulate newspapers.

• July 9, 2008: The Premier says his plans for a media council are behind schedule but promises: "Our recommended press council model will be available for stakeholder consultation soon."

• December 12, 2008: A letter from the media to Dr. Brown states: "We do not believe that a legislated media council along the lines proposed in the [Cabinet] paper before you is appropriate or necessary." The letter suggests a "self-regulating body without the interference, perceived or otherwise, of the Government, which legislation would inevitably suggest". It is signed by: Bill Craig, then CEO of Bermuda Broadcasting Company; PLP senator and radio host Thaao Dill, programme director of Inter-Island Communications; Chris Lodge, news director at DeFontes Broadcasting Company; Tony McWilliam, editor of the Bermuda Sun; and Bill Zuill, editor of The Royal Gazette.

• March 8, 2010: Dr. Brown tells the House of Assembly that legislation "developed to create an independent media council, which will promote fairness, accuracy, accountability and journalistic integrity in the content and presentation of media coverage, including news reports, comment, articles and pictures" will soon be tabled.

l May 6, 2010: The Premier calls a press conference to tell the media that a bill has been drawn up to create a media council to oversee a code of practice and complaints procedure for print and broadcast operations.

• May 7, 2010: The Media Council Act 2010 is tabled in the House of Assembly.

* You can download and read the complete Media Council Act. by clicking here.