The conference features four panels, each covering different aspects of the relationship between politicians and the press:
- Panel 1 – Politicians and the Public Interest: Legal Update
Featuring Lord Gerald Shamash of Edwards Duthie Shamash, Godwin Busuttil of 5RB and Ian Helme of Matrix, this panel will explore how public interest defences apply in relation to proceedings for defamation and privacy brought by politicians. - Panel 2 – A Dysfunctional Relationship
Featuring Baroness Jenny Jones and Sir Vince Cable, this session explores how the media–politician relationship functions in practice, and what reforms are necessary to improve the conduct of the press. - Panel 3 – Stories from the Frontline
Featuring Emma Jones, Mark Borkowski, Donnachadh McCarthy and Lord Tom McNally. Real-world accounts of media pressure, political fallout and reputational repair from Mark, a nationally renowned publicist, Donnachadh, a reporter who has also worked in politics, and Lord McNally, former advisor to Prime Minister James Callaghan and Leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the House of Lords. - Panel 4 – The Hack: What the Drama Gets Right (and Wrong)
Dr Evan Harris, Ellen Gallagher, Charlotte Harris and Paul Farrelly will analyse how fictional portrayals of the press-politician dynamic reflect or distort legal, ethical and reputational realities.
About the PJP
Founded in 2023, The Press Justice Project supports people affected by press wrongdoing and works to raise standards across journalism through educating the public and student journalists. For lawyers working in media, defamation, privacy, or regulatory law, the conference offers a front-row view of the legal, ethical, and practical challenges at the heart of press-politician interactions.
This is the third in the PJP’s series of events. In October 2024 it held “Reputation, Privacy and the Future of Media Law”, which addressed the evolving terrain of defamation and privacy rights in the digital age. In July 2025 the charity held “Hold the Backpage: Media Accountability in Sport”, examining the special pressures faced by sportspeople and reputational risk in tabloid journalism.
📅 Date: 12 November 2025
🕞 Time: 15:30–19:00 (followed by networking drinks)
📍 Venue: Lewis Silkin LLP, 255 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 9AX
Register here: