+ Contemporary Media REGULATION Critical Perspectives In Media Section B UNIT: G325 P.C.C

+ Who are the PCC? Regulation in Question… The PCC are the Press Complaints Commission, An independent self-regulated organisation, funded by and run by the press… to regulate the UK press. ‘The Editors Code of Practice’ aims to protect the public, privacy and children under 16, as well as monitor the conduct of journalists and hold editors to account. The PCC Strives to protect the rights of individuals, while preserving appropriate freedom of expression for the press. They responds to any complaints made about the press (Reactive). The PCC is Proactive by making suggestions to editors in advance of publication about what they should print/set guide lines on how far they should go to get a story. The PCC can enforce a range of sanctions: Negotiation of an agreed remedy (apology, published correction, record amendment, removal of article). Publication of critical adjudication, which may be followed by public criticism of a title by the Chairman. A letter of admonishment from the Chairman to the editor; Follow-up from the PCC to ensure that changes are made to avoid repeat errors and to establish what steps (disciplinary action where appropriate) have been taken against those who breach the code. Formal referral of an editor to their publisher for action. However! It has come to light (Phone Hacking see PP) that the PCC has been failing to regulate all areas of the press effectively, as some newspapers have been abusing their power in order to gain stories. Due to being self-regulated, David Cameron had to arrange an independent investigation in to press standards (Leveson Enquiry see PP).

+ ACTIVITY 1 If you were the head of the PCC (Press Complaints Commission), what would be the organisations top five rules/guidelines for its ‘Code of Conduct’. 1. ? 2. ? 3. ? 4. ? 5. ?

+ PCC- Code of Conduct 16 Sections 1. Accuracy 2. Opportunity to Reply 3. Privacy 4. Harassment 5. Intrusion into Grief or Shock 6. Children 7. Children in Sex Case 8. Hospitals 9. Reporting of Crime 10. Clandestine Devices & Subterfuge 11. Victims of Sexual Assault 12. Discrimination 13. Financial Journalism 14. Confidential Sources 15. Witness Payments in Criminal Trials 16. Payment to Criminals

+ The press in the UK has been subject to self-regulation for over fifty years. The self-regulatory era began with the creation of a voluntary ‘Press Council’ in 1953 (deemed a weak organisation in the future). In the 1980’s it came to light that some publications were failing to observe the basic ethics of journalism. Parliament requested a more effective statutory press council with enforceable legal sanctions. The government appointed David Calcutt QC to investigate. He published his report in June 1990, but instead of suggesting new statutory regulation, he recommended the setting up of a new Press Complaints Commission. In 1991 the PCC was formed, and was made up of national and regional editors who formed the ‘Editors Code of Practice’ that was required to be followed at all times. The PCC A History…

+ ACTIVITY 2 Who are these people? You have 15 minutes to research in the Mac room. Go go go! 1. Clive Goodman 2. Glenn Mulcaire 3. Andy Coulson 4. Rebekah Brooks 5. Lord Justice Leveson

+ The Phone Hacking Scandal TIMELINE CREATE YOUR OWN TIMELINE

+ How it Started Clive Goodman ? Glenn Mulcaire ? In 2005 the Royal Family became suspicious of private information somehow being printed in the Press.

+ How it Started Clive Goodman Royal Editor for the NOTW (At the time) Arrested & jailed for four months in Jan 2007 for illegally intercepting mobile phone messages & listening to voic s. Arrested again in July 2011 (with many other journalists) for hacking phones. He awaits trail. Glenn Mulcaire Private Investigator Arrested & jailed for six months in Jan 2007 for illegally intercepting phone messages for the NOTW. In August 2012 the police obtained documents from Mulcaire’s office identifying 4,744 potential phone hacking victims. He also awaits trail. In 2005 the Royal Family became suspicious of private information somehow being printed in the Press.

+ All is Revealed! In 2009 the Guardian newspaper reveals that phone hacking is rife amongst the British press and that it had been going on for years. A list of celebrities who may have had their phones hacked is revealed… including murdered school girl Milly Dowler..

+ Closing the News of the World  The News of the World was owned by Rupert Murdoch’s ‘News International Group (Part of News Corporation)’. His son James Murdoch was the chief executive of News Corp.  Amid a public backlash from the phone hacking scandal and the withdrawal of advertising, News International announced the closure of the newspaper on 7 July  In late 2011, along with his father, Rupert, he appeared at a hearing of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee to answer accusations about the news paper ethics. James maintained that until late in 2010 he was unaware that more than one "rogue reporter" from the News of the World tabloid had been involved in phone hacking.  On 23 November 2011, British newspapers reported James Murdoch resigned.

+ VIDEOS 1 & 2 Rupert & James Murdoch The Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee + Pie in the Face

+ NOTW Editors Arrested & Put on Trial Andy Coulson ? Rebekah Brooks ?

+ NOTW Editors Arrested & Put on Trial Andy Coulson NOTW Editor from (resigned) He subsequently became David Cameron’s ‘Communications Director’, until resigning in Jan 2011 due to continued hacking media coverage. Coulson was arrested by the Met Police on 8 July 2011 "in connection with allegations of corruption and phone hacking”. He is on trial. Rebekah Brooks NOTW Editor from Chief executive officer of News International from 2009 to 2011 (Resigned due to following widespread criticism of her role in the phone hacking controversy - July 2011). On 17 July 2011, she was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications without lawful authority (Dowler) and on suspicion of corruption. She awaits trial.

+ VIDEO 3 The Phone Hacking Scandal How it all started (Summing up)

+ In light of the allegations of the NOTW phone hacking, on 5 July 2011 MST (Media Standards Trust) formed the "Hacked Off" campaign. Registering the site the campaign aimed to campaign for a public inquiry into phone hacking. The campaign gained support of actor Hugh Grant, who became a public spokesperson, appearing on Question Time and Newsnight.

+ VIDEO 4 ‘Hacked Off’ Hugh Grant Interview – calling for an enquiry

+ The Leveson Enquiry Who is Lord Justice Brian Leveson?

+ What is the Leveson Enquiry? Who is Lord Justice Brian Leveson?  The Leveson enquiry is a judicial public enquiry into the CULTURE, PRACTICES & ETHICS of the British Press.  Attention was brought to this matter following News Internationals phone hacking scandal.  On July 13 th 2011, the Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a public inquiry under the ‘Inquiries Act 2005’ (allowing the summoning of witnesses) would be chaired by Lord Justice Leveson.  There were a series of public hearings throughout 2011/12, including victims who felt that their privacy had been violated.

+ VIDEO 5 The Leveson Enquiry Key Interviews

+ The Enquiry On 20 July 2011, Cameron announced a panel of six people who have been working with the judge on the inquiry; including former members of OFCOM, Channel 4 news, and the Met Police. The Inquiry was funded through two Government departments: Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ The ‘Home Office’. In September 2011 a press release named 46 politicians, sportsmen and public figures who may have been victims of media intrusion and who have been granted "core participant" status in the inquiry. The enquiry took place at the Royal Courts of Justice, was streamed live over the Internet, & started on November 14 th There were three modules/sessions. 1. Module One: ‘Press & Public’. 2. Module Two: ‘Press & Police’. 3. Module Three: ‘Press & Politicians’. “The press provides an essential check on all aspects of public life. That is why any failure within the media affects all of us. At the heart of this Inquiry, therefore, may be one simple question: who guards the guardians?” – Lord Justice Leveson.

+ ACTIVITY 3 The Leveson Enquiry Key Findings. Watch the entire video of Lord Leveson’s findings. What were his recommendations? VIDEO 6

+ The Report  In November 2012, Lord Leveson published his 2,000 page findings & gave recommendations for action. They would maintain freedom of the press (freedom of speech) and ensure the highest ethical and professional standards are met.  Lord Justice Leveson suggested:  The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) is not sufficient and should be replaced by a new independent body, which would be recognised by the state through new laws.  This body would have sanctions available to it, including fines and direction of apologies.  Membership of the body would be voluntary.  Claims like libel and breach of privacy would be speedy, cheap, and could award damages.  However, Leveson rejected the characterisation of his proposal as ‘statutory regulation of the press, and instead he seeked “statutory underpinning”, the most controversial part of his report.

+ VIDEO 7 The Leveson Enquiry Recommendations David Cameron's’ Response.

+ The Future  24 hours after he received the report, The Prime Minister David Cameron said he had "serious concerns and misgivings" in principle to any statutory interference in the media. He warned: "It would mean for the first time we have crossed the Rubicon of writing elements of press regulation into law.“  The following day the majority of newspapers agreed with Cameron's position, while The Guardian declared that "great care" would be required for legislation.  Victims group ‘Hacked Off’ (Chaired by Hugh Grant) called for full implementation of Leveson's recommendations, and started a petition (145,000).  A new incentive had to be struck between the three main political parties, which was in the form of an independent regulator set up by royal charter with powers to impose fines on UK publishers and demand apologies. The charter would aim to preserve press freedom and protect victims of press intrusion.  Many of the major newspapers said they needed time to study the details and Victims campaign group Hacked Off welcomed the deal.  David Cameron stated that the Royal charter would ensure:  Upfront apologies from the press to victims  Fines of 1% of turnover for publishers, up to £1m  A self-regulatory body with independent appointments and funding  A robust standards code  A free arbitration service for victims  A speedy complaints system  Talks regarding implementation between politicians and the press were scheduled to start in December 2012, and Lord Hunt, the current chair of the PCC, said the new regulator should be set up by summer 2013.

+ VIDEO 8 What next? A summing up after David Cameron.

+ Case Study Milly Dowler The Guardian reported on 4 July 2011 that Scotland Yard had discovered that the murdered school girl Milly Dowler's voic had been accessed by journalists working for the NOTW. The paper also reported that, during their ongoing investigation into that newspaper's phone hacking activities, police detectives discovered journalists had deleted some messages – potential evidence – in Dowler's voic box because it was full, thus freeing up space for new messages. The deletions misled family and friends into thinking that Dowler was still alive. Dowler's parents announced that they would pursue a claim for damages against the NOTW and in September 2011 the Dowler family had been offered £2 million in personal damages. In January 2012 it was revealed that police forces knew soon after Dowler's death that NOTW staff had accessed her mobile phone messages, but did not take issue with this. Milly Dowler's family joined the ‘Hacked Off’ campaign, and gave evidence at the Leveson Enquiry.

+ Case Study Christopher Jefferies On December , Christopher Jefferies was arrested in connection with the murder of his tenant, Joanna Yeates. Despite helping the police with their enquiries before his arrest, he was questioned for three days while officers raided his house. Jefferies was finally cleared and released in March Vincent Tabek, Yeates’ neighbor, was found guilty of murder in October. During his ordeal, images and allegations about his work and personal life were splashed across several national newspapers. In 2012 Jefferies successfully sued eight newspapers – the Sun, Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record, Daily Mail, Daily Star, the Scotsman and the Daily Express – over their coverage of his arrest and received substantial libel damages. In November 2011, Jefferies gave evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. He told the chairman how his life had been irreparably changed by the events of December 2010, a result of his monstering in the national press.