Annette Brooke MP welcomes move to see 'adult' publications sold responsibly

3.53.06pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Mar 2006

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, today welcomed the move by one press regulator to recommend that sexually explicit magazines and newspapers be kept away from children.

Following pressure from the Home Office, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) is to recommend that retailers display these publications out of the sight of children.

The NFRN, one of a number of press regulators, represents 19 000 independent newsagents. Although the new regulations are not legally binding, trading standards will be able to reprimand those newsagents that do not abide by the rules.

Annette Brooke highlighted the widely available, offensive content of publications such as 'The Daily Sport' and certain 'lads mags' in a recent letter to the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell. Annette has also lent her support to a parliamentary motion (EDM 1622) calling for a review of legislation governing the display of 'adult' titles in newsagents.

Annette Brooke said: "This is a welcome step in the right direction, but I feel that the current legislation is still inadequate.

"Explicit, degrading images of women have no place in mainstream media which are accessible by children. The widespread propagation of these images is not consistent with a culture which respects women's human rights.

"The NFRN is due to publish its guidelines shortly and I will be paying close attention to their specific recommendations. I would welcome any feedback on this issue from my constituents. I hope that we will see an increase in responsible retailing".

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

BACKGROUND

Nov 2005: Every MP receives a copy of The Sport from the pressure group OBJECT - asking why is this sold as a newspaper?

Jan 2006: Early Day Motion tabled in Parliament over the poor regulation of pornography

March 2006: Home Office meets with the NFRN

EDM 1622

OFFENSIVE MATERIALS IN NEWSAGENTS 09.02.2006

Abbott, Diane 84 signatures

That this House notes that there is still no legislation in place to ensure that adult titles, including so called lads mags, newspapers and tabloids containing disturbing pornographic material, are kept out of reach and sight of children; acknowledges that most newsagents adhere to the voluntary Code of Practice as set out by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents; welcomes local campaigners all over the UK who are putting pressure on WH Smith to recognise certain tabloid titles as pornography; and calls on the Government once again to consider introducing legislation to ensure offensive material is kept well out of reach and sight of children.