The European Tribune is a forum for thoughtful dialogue of European and international issues. You are invited to post comments and your own articles.
Please REGISTER to post.
Lord Justice Leveson has recommended the introduction of the first press law in Britain since the 17th century - proposing that a statutory body such as Ofcom should take responsibility for monitoring an overhauled Press Complaints Commission.The proposal - made despite the fierce opposition of Fleet Street to the introduction of statute - is designed to reassure the public that newspapers are subject to an effective and independent regulator to prevent a repetition of phone hacking or other scandals.Leveson said that his proposed new law would enshrine "for the first time" a "legal duty on the government to protect the freedom of the press". It would also allow the new body to set up a low-cost libel and privacy tribunal to handle complaints instead of the courts - and provide "benefits in law" to those who signed up. Those who do not sign up would be denied the ability to reclaim the often substantial costs of litigation - even if they win - from complainants bringing libel, privacy or other media related actions.In the 56-page summary to his 2,000-page report, Leveson said that the purpose of legislation was "not to establish a body to regulate the press". But he warned that if newspapers were not prepared to join a revamped PCC it would be necessary to force Ofcom to act as a "backstop regulator".
Lord Justice Leveson has recommended the introduction of the first press law in Britain since the 17th century - proposing that a statutory body such as Ofcom should take responsibility for monitoring an overhauled Press Complaints Commission.
The proposal - made despite the fierce opposition of Fleet Street to the introduction of statute - is designed to reassure the public that newspapers are subject to an effective and independent regulator to prevent a repetition of phone hacking or other scandals.
Leveson said that his proposed new law would enshrine "for the first time" a "legal duty on the government to protect the freedom of the press". It would also allow the new body to set up a low-cost libel and privacy tribunal to handle complaints instead of the courts - and provide "benefits in law" to those who signed up. Those who do not sign up would be denied the ability to reclaim the often substantial costs of litigation - even if they win - from complainants bringing libel, privacy or other media related actions.
In the 56-page summary to his 2,000-page report, Leveson said that the purpose of legislation was "not to establish a body to regulate the press". But he warned that if newspapers were not prepared to join a revamped PCC it would be necessary to force Ofcom to act as a "backstop regulator".
by Bernard - Apr 19 1 comment
by gmoke - Apr 18
by Frank Schnittger - Apr 15 7 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Apr 10 12 comments
by ARGeezer - Apr 4 29 comments
by Oui - Apr 8 12 comments
by Oui - Apr 4 36 comments
by Oui - Apr 3 36 comments
by Oui - Apr 211 comment
by Oui - Apr 201 comment
by Bernard - Apr 191 comment
by Oui - Apr 195 comments
by Oui - Apr 166 comments
by Oui - Apr 1527 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Apr 157 comments
by Oui - Apr 1414 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Apr 1012 comments
by Oui - Apr 1043 comments
by gmoke - Apr 10
by Oui - Apr 812 comments
by Oui - Apr 716 comments
by ARGeezer - Apr 429 comments
by Oui - Apr 436 comments
by Oui - Apr 336 comments
by Oui - Apr 129 comments
by gmoke - Mar 307 comments
by ARGeezer - Mar 2916 comments