The media must get its act together quickly and set up its own self-regulated body, according to Progressive Labour Party MPs.

They questioned why this newspaper and other publications had left themselves open to legislation being forced on them by dragging their feet over the issue for so long.

Over a year ago, a collection of media managers proposed a non-legislated, self-regulatory body. However, that never materialised, with Royal Gazette editor Bill Zuill this week admitting it could be suggested with some justice that the media ought to have formed a council by now.

MPs also said the media was wrong to argue against the way members are appointed to the council under the Media Council Act. They said it's normal practice for them to be appointed on the recommendation of the Premier in a colony.

Some suggested the bill is flawed — and some said it had not real teeth — but stressed the opportunity is still there for the media to seize the initiative on the issue by setting up its own council.

The PLP is said to have held a lively debate on the subject on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Public Safety Minister David Burch was on Hott 107.5 yesterday, claiming that this newspaper should count itself lucky because some in the PLP want to lock them up and have sanctions, penalties, consequences and fines.

In an apparent reference to Government's withdrawal of advertising in The Royal Gazette, Sen. Burch said he was disappointed not to have seen more favourable coverage despite hitting this newspaper "where it hurts most".

"At what stage of the game do you figure out that those people really are crazy?" he said.

Premier Ewart Brown, however, claims Government did not take its advertising away as a reprisal for this newspaper's editorial stance.

The Media Council Act says the council would establish a code of practice for the media and deal with complaints, and have the power to order apologies and retractions and ban publication or broadcast of material.

It has been severely criticised by global press freedom groups, which claim the council would be politically biased and could infringe freedom of expression.

l Further media council bill stories on pages 12 and 13