A new press regulation
system will ensure:
• Upfront apologies from the media to victims of defamatory comments and media intrusion
• Fines of 1% of turnover for publishers found to be breaching regulations. Fines could amount to £1 million
• A self-regulatory body with independent appointments and financing
• A tough code of conduct
• Free mediation service for victims
• A swift complaints system
• Upfront apologies from the media to victims of defamatory comments and media intrusion
• Fines of 1% of turnover for publishers found to be breaching regulations. Fines could amount to £1 million
• A self-regulatory body with independent appointments and financing
• A tough code of conduct
• Free mediation service for victims
• A swift complaints system
However, new regulations have
raised fears that bloggers and
website owners may be subjected to heavy libel fines under the new laws imposed
by a new regulatory watchdog.
In a statement from political
blogger Iain Dale, he said: “I will certainly be covered by the regulator.”
Meanwhile, Carla Buzasi, of the Huffington Post, said: “I am unclear as to the body’s stance concerning the internet.”
Meanwhile, Carla Buzasi, of the Huffington Post, said: “I am unclear as to the body’s stance concerning the internet.”
In a bid to appease ‘individual
bloggers’, a Government statement said: “The criteria that determines whether a
publisher is liable exempts ‘a single blogger.’
The new regulations have been
met with caution as a number of top UK newspapers seek legal advice as to
whether they should conform to the new regulatory system.
The publishers of the Daily
Mail, the Sun, the Times, the Telegraph, the Daily Star and the Daily Express
have all said that they will explore ‘all the options available’ before
committing to a decision.
The new press watchdog will be
established across England & Wales via royal charter and will be supported
by legislation.
The new regulatory system will
oust the current regime, under which, the press is self-regulated on a
voluntary basis by the Press Complaints Commission.
The new regulatory regime has
been implemented following an investigation into press ethics carried out by
Lord Leveson that began in November 2011. The report was undertaken following
revelations that News International, overseen by Rupert Murdoch, had been
involved in a phone hacking scandal.
The scandal uncovered that News
International had intruded on the personal lives of a number of families facing
traumatic circumstances including the family of murdered school girl Milly
Dowler and the parents of ‘missing’ child Madeleine McCann.
The controversy made world news
and as a result fresh calls were made for an independent press monitor.
However, the new system has been met with mixed feedback, with supporters of the system, namely the victims of the phone hacking scandal, strongly in support of limiting ‘press power’. Whilst those that oppose the system say that the regulations are a restriction on a fundamental principle of UK life, ‘freedom of speech.’
However, the new system has been met with mixed feedback, with supporters of the system, namely the victims of the phone hacking scandal, strongly in support of limiting ‘press power’. Whilst those that oppose the system say that the regulations are a restriction on a fundamental principle of UK life, ‘freedom of speech.’
One thing has become ultimately
clear though. The UK has enjoyed a free press for 300 years, but all of a
sudden the status quo has shifted and a new threshold has been crossed. The
crossing of that threshold could be dangerous and will certainly change the
face of website usage, blogging and social media trends. Whether this is for
better or worse, remains to be seen.
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