New Press Regulation Laws Unveiled: What Impact Will They Have?

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
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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.
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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.”
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In a bid to appease ‘individual bloggers’, a Government statement said: “The criteria that determines whether a publisher is liable exempts ‘a single blogger.’
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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.
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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.
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The new press watchdog will be established across England & Wales via royal charter and will be supported by legislation.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.’
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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.