SCOTLAND'S response to plans to regulate the press with a Royal Charter are to be debated at Holyrood.
MSPs will discuss the implications for Scots law and the devolved administration north of the Border to moves at Westminster to impose a tighter set of rules on the newspaper industry.
Editors of almost all the major newspapers announced yesterday that they have rejected the plans agreed at Westminster and published their own scheme for self-regulation free from state interference.
Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Whilst we recognise the decision of parts of the newspaper industry to propose an alternative charter, and will be watching developments closely, all parties in the Scottish Parliament have agreed to a debate on Tuesday on proposals for the Scottish Government to support a Royal Charter subject to it properly reflecting Scots law and devolved responsibilities."
The Government's proposed Royal Charter, agreed between the three main parties, is "unworkable" and enjoys "no support within the press", the industry has warned.
The press charter was denounced as "desperate" by the Hacked Off campaign for reform of press regulation, which said it would produce a regulator which was no less an "industry poodle" than the much- criticised Press Complaints Commission.
The Privy Council Office will now look at the industry proposals.
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