This is the website for the independent review of the New Zealand Press Council ("the Council").  The reviewers seek your participation in the review and would like you to have your say.  There are two surveys on this website that you are welcome to use for that purpose.

Please take this opportunity to complete either or both surveys and express your view in them:

• Click here to take survey for individuals
• Click here to take survey for organisations

Additional information that you may wish to provide directly or by submission would also be most welcome.  Submissions should be received by Monday, 14 May 2007.  For information on how to contact the reviewers see: Contact Details.

The Council has operated since 1972 with the following purposes:

• To consider complaints against newspapers and other publications;
• To promote freedom of speech and freedom of the press in New Zealand; and
• To maintain the New Zealand press in accordance with the highest professional standards.

More information on the Council can be found at its website <http://www.presscouncil.org.nz>.

This is the first time in the Council's history that an independent review has taken place.  The review will focus on:

• The purposes, activities, performance, governance and resourcing of the Council;
• The adequacy of the Council's objectives in light of changing circumstances and public perceptions and whether the Council is operating in a manner consistent with them; and
• The range and scope of the Council's activities when compared with the operations of similar bodies in other countries.

For more information see the Terms of Reference for the Review.

As a voluntary dispute resolution body with the function of maintaining the professional standards of the New Zealand press, it is important that the Council operates consistently with the expectations of the general public.  Therefore, your feedback on the Council will be important for a constructive review.