By Justin Schlosberg If part two of the Fox-Sky merger review is to learn anything from recent history, it must open the door to part two of the Leveson Inquiry. Last week Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN) admitted “vicarious liability” in illegal hacking that went far beyond mere interception of voicemails. The court was told about a spyware programme could … [Read more...]
Miranda detention part two: who decides on the public interest?
Yesterday we wrote about why the detention of David Miranda under anti-terror legislation was so different from the arrest of British journalists on suspicion of unlawfully obtaining information. We were writing in response to various figures who accused the critics of press abuse of hypocrisy and double standards. One of them was Brendan O’Neill, who, who made a crack about … [Read more...]
Professor James Curran: “We want to shrink the media moguls”
This post was originally written by Joe Sandler Clarke at the Huffington Post, and is reprinted with their kind permission. Two more Sun journalists were charged by police last month. Jamie Pyatt, a reporter, and John Edwards, the tabloid's pictures editor, were charged with allegedly making payments in excess of £30,000 to public officials. They face trial on July … [Read more...]
A tale of two charters
Last Thursday, Cameron walked out of cross-party talks on Leveson and announced a vote on Monday on the Royal Charter proposal he's backing (published here). The next day, an alternative Royal Charter supported by politicians from all parties was also published online. On Monday, our representatives will have a chance to vote on both of these proposals. Hacked Off is calling … [Read more...]
Honest journalists need a regulator to protect them
By Angela Phillips As four more journalists are arrested in connection with phone hacking it is worth remembering that it is commercial pressures, not great journalism, that brought us to this place. … [Read more...]
Conference: Media policy post-Leveson
On Friday 8 February at Bournemouth University will host a one day conference entitled: 'Media policy post-Leveson: opportunities for reshaping media ownership and control at the national, regional and community level'. … [Read more...]
Media corporations: too big to fail?
As with the banking system, Des Freedman argues that Britain needs to shake up the way its media works as a whole: nothing less can tackle the unaccountable power of the industry giants. … [Read more...]