Lord Justice Leveson has
called for a new independent body for the press after saying that “the press
need to act”.
A campaign has now been
launched by inquiry witnesses for MPs to implement a new body.
In his report, published
on November 29th, Lord Justice Leveson said that the press needed a
new independent regulatory body that should have the power to investigate any
breaches and be able to sanction newspapers. This new body should then be
backed with legislation to determine whether the body is doing its job
properly. This legislation would mean a legal duty put on the government to
protect freedom of the press.
Newspapers that refuse to
sign up this new body will be required to face direct regulation by Ofcom, the
media watchdog.
The body should be
independent of current journalists, the government and commercial concerns. It
should also not include any current editors or MPs or other government members.
The report also suggests
that a “whistle-blowing hotline” should be set up for journalists who feel
under pressure to do something unethical and have journalists’ contracts
include a clause protecting them if they refuse to perform unethical practises.
The report has split the
coalition with Prime Minister David Cameron firmly against statutory control,
whereas Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg, along with Opposition leader Ed
Miliband, wants to see Lord Justice Leveson’s proposals implemented with a new
law on the press.
Cameron believes that
setting up such a body will only show how difficult it is to regulate in such a
controversial area. Both Clegg and Miliband believe the opposite will be
achieved.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport are currently
drafting a bill that is thought to take a few weeks for it to be completed.
On Friday, the newspapers
came out welcoming a new regulatory body, but supported Cameron’s opposition to
the law-backed legislation, rejecting the idea of statute and involving Ofcom.
Gerry McCann, father of
missing girl Madeline, has said to the BBC that, “The press has been given
enough chances, and in my opinion Lord [Justice] Leveson has given them another
chance to put a structure in place which they are happy with."
Actor
Steve Coogan wrote in the Guardian: “By rejecting Leveson's
call for statutory regulation, Cameron has hung the victims of crime out to
dry. He has passed on the opportunity to make history. He has revealed there
isn't an ounce of substance in his body, that he has one eye on courting the
press for elections in years to come, and doesn't know the meaning of
conviction.”
We wait to see the future results of the Leveson
report and the effects on the press.
