Incoming Society of Editors president Paul Horrocks has promised to press for the setting up of a central database containing details of all court orders in the UK.
In his first speech as president of the Society, to close the Glasgow conference, the Manchester Evening News editor said he wanted to make it easier to get information on court rulings to help prevent editors from committing accidental contempt of court.
He said: "For the past 12 months I have been trying to persuade the Attorney General to take up this issue and I will continue to press for some action. It could be established on a subscription basis but would need government backing to require courts to comply."
Horrocks also urged Society members to give their "strongest possible support" to the Press Complaints Commission. And he concluded his speech by calling on the industry to "join forces to help find an ownership solution for Press Gazette", which went into administration this week and faces an uncertain future.
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