MPs Oppose NLA Plans

The PRCA today released the results of recent research into MPs' attitudes towards the NLA, undertaken by polling experts ComRes.

ComRes polled their regular panel of MPs, asking them for their views on newspaper copyright, and in particular on the NLA's proposals to charge for the receipt or forwarding of URLs.

The results show that MPs are likely to oppose the NLA's plans. Like the PRCA, 46% of MPs agree that organisations should have to buy a licence to distribute links to view online content that newspapers would normally charge for. However, most MPs (65%) say they are against allowing organisations to be charged for distributing URLs linking to free-to-view online material.

Francis Ingham, PRCA director general, commented:

"These results are clear and unambiguous.

“Like us, MPs agree that copyright should be respected. But like us, they oppose the NLA's plans to charge for the distribution of URLs to content which is already freely available. This opposition cuts across all political parties.

“We will now be rolling out the next stage of our campaign against the NLA's plans. It centres on good old fashioned political lobbying.

“If it is not countered, the NLA's ill-thought through proposal has the potential to fundamentally change the way content on the Internet is able to be found."

Poll Results

  • The majority of MPs agree that organisations should pay a license fee if they copy newspaper articles or distribute the URLs of newspaper articles for which the newspaper would normally charge to view (42% and 46% agree respectively).
  • On the other hand, 65% of MPs disagree that a license fee should be payable for the distribution of URLs where the Newspaper would not normally charge a fee to view.  
  • Only a quarter of MPs believe that the NLA should be permitted to levy a license fee on newspaper URLs (26%). 
  • More than half of MPs agree that measures that potentially limit the circulation of digital data could be detrimental to the development of ‘Digital Britain' (56%).

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

  • ComRes surveyed 151 London MPs between 19th October and 16th November 2009 by self-completion postal questionnaire and online. Full data tables are available at www.comres.co.uk.
  • The PRCA has intervened in the case brought brought by Meltwater  in the Copyright Tribunal against the NLA's proposed web database and web end user licences .

About the PRCA

The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies and in-house communications teams.

  • The Association exists to raise standards in PR and to help members be better organisations.
  • The Association has grown by more than 50% over the past two years.
  • Founded in 1969, the PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations consultancy.
  • PRCA consultancy members differentiate themselves from other PR consultancies by achieving the Consultancy Management
  • Standard (CMS), a professional accreditation that has been adopted by PR agencies in more than 15 countries around the world.
  • All PRCA member organisations are bound by a Professional Charter and Codes of Conduct.

As part of its commitment to excellence in PR, the PRCA carries out a number of functions:

  • PR training and qualification: the PRCA organises a range of bespoke, in-house & online courses as well as general training and qualifications. Course subjects range from: how to write a press release: to how to manage your agency.
  • Find A PR Agency: this free service, no obligation service helps clients find a reputable PR consultancy for their brief.
  • Industry surveys: the PRCA undertakes a number of surveys every year including the most comprehensive benchmark of industry performance.
  • Networking and best practice groups: the PRCA organises a number of groups to help members stay ahead of industry trends and raise general industry issues.
  • Promotes the value of PR and the need for standards: the PRCA provides a strong voice on a range of issues relating to PR.

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