Today Media Reform is releasing the results of our consultation on press regulation for bloggers. [UPDATE: these results now incorporate responses up until April 21st. The survey is now closed.] Over a period of two and a half weeks we asked bloggers and small publishers to comment on various options for amending the Crime and Courts Bill - which will support the Royal … [Read more...]
This Was Your Leveson: a reflection on recent months
So here we are. The United Kingdom will now have some kind of statute-backed independent self-regulation thing - presuming the press actually signs up. After Cameron's withdrawal from cross-party talks put us all on war footing, he and the other two party leaders pulled a deal out of the hat in the small hours of Monday morning. Did the Prime Minister think he could win a … [Read more...]
Leveson vs the bloggers: how to make regulation work for everyone
First, they came for the tabloids; then, they came for Guido Fawkes; will they come for the bloggers next? … [Read more...]
Victory, or ‘Leveson lite’? Our experts respond
Today the prospect of a Parliamentary game of chicken over a fair and independent regulator for the press has been averted with the announcement of a cross-party Leveson deal. The new Royal Charter, backed by a law forbidding ministerial meddling, includes concessions from both sides. Crucially, however, it is underpinned by a 'dab of statute', it prevents the press from … [Read more...]
This semi-statutory compromise is a good first step
By Angela Phillips Today’s deal on the Leveson reforms should provide a regulator strong enough to protect the press from its own worst instincts. … [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...]
PM’s parliamentary machismo serves only his pals in press
David Cameron has crossed the Rubicon. No, we don't mean the Rubicon of statute he spoke of back in November when Lord Justice Leveson delivered his report into press standards. We are referring his decision to unilaterally pull the plug on cross party Leveson talks, bringing weeks of tripartite brinksmanship to a head. Now he tells the other parties: "your move." … [Read more...]