Three Royal Commissions on the Press were held in the United Kingdom during the 20th century. The first (1947–49) proposed the creation of a General Council of the Press to govern behaviour, promote consumer interests and conduct research into the long-term social and economic impact of the print industry.[1] This led to the setting up of the Press Council in 1953. The second royal commission (1961–62) studied the economic and financial factors affecting the press, whilst the third (1974–77) proposed the development of a written Code of Practice for newspapers.