This week the Leveson Inquiry kicked module three – examining the relationship between press and politicians – into gear, with an appearance from Jack Straw MP. It also heard evidence from, among others Lord Wakeham, Alistair Campbell and former “Times” editor, Sir Harold Evans. Outside of the inquiry, former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and a number of others were charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Month: May 2012 (Page 3 of 6)
Democracy in Britain has been corrupted by illegal and unethical press practices, Hugh Grant has said.
Speaking at a rally for media reform on Thursday 17 May 2012 – hosted by the Hacked Off Campaign and the Coordinating Committee for Media Reform (“CCMR”) – the actor said it was a “disgrace” nothing had been done to curb criminal behaviour.
Can Rebekah Brooks receive a fair trial on her charges of perverting the course of justice? The question arises for two reasons.
The first is because she is a prominent person and has in recent times attracted strong public criticism and hostility. This might be said to cause a risk that jurors at her eventual trial could be prejudiced against her. Continue reading
The Defamation Bill published last week after the Queen’s Speech contains four clauses of especial significance for the internet:
- Clause 5 a new defence for website operators in respect of third party posts. In essence this significantly enhances website operators’ protection for posts by identifiable posters; and is also designed to encourage website operators voluntarily to disclose to defamation complainants the identity and contact details of the author of an anonymous defamatory post. Continue reading
The Leveson Inquiry has exposed some of the best and worst journalistic practices. In the process it has cast new light on an old problem: how best to protect the public against serious criminality, whilst also safeguarding genuine investigative journalism? Continue reading
In last week’s Queen’s Speech the Government announced the long awaited Defamation Bill for the next session of Parliament. This bill had its formal first reading on 10 May 2012. Regular readers of this blog will recall the long history of this proposal. The bill has its origins in a private members’ bill introduced by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Lester which received its Second Reading on 9 July 2010. In March 2011 the Government issued a Consultation Paper on a draft Bill.
A high-profile week at the Leveson Inquiry, with evidence from Rebekah Brooks, the MailOnline editor Martin Clarke and Andy Coulson (see Natalie Peck’s Inforrm roundup). As well as sharing David Cameron’s text-speak (lol), Brooks provided the inquiry with an email sent to her by News Corp’s head of communications, Frederic Michel. Continue reading
The Leveson Inquiry resumed this week; with widely publicised evidence from former News of the World and Number 10 spin doctor Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks. There were also a number of other important developments with the Metropolitan Police reporting their investigation into whether Milly Dowler’s voicemails were deleted. Robert Jay QC officially began module three of the inquiry – examining the relationship between the press and politicians – with an opening statement. Continue reading
On 8 to 10 May 2012 the Supreme Court (Lords Hope, Walker, Kerr, Clarke and Dyson) heard Glenn Mulcaire’s appeal against decision that he should provide information to claimants in the phone hacking litigation. The case concerned the scope of the “exception” to the privilege against self-incrimination in section 72 of the Senior Courts Act 1981. The “Case Details” can be found here. After two days of argument (spread over three days due to the State Opening of Parliament) judgment was reserved. Continue reading
There had to be something special about Rebekah Brooks. Here was a woman, after all, who managed to be a close friend of Tony and Cherie Blair, then a friend (perhaps less close and more briefly) of Gordon and Sarah Brown, and then a very close (‘lots of love’) friend of David and Samantha Cameron. Continue reading
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