29/11/2012

Leveson Calls For Regulatory Body

The Leveson report has recommended a tougher form of independent self-regulation in the UK press.

Lord Justice Leveson said the press had "wreaked havoc in the lives of innocent people" and called for a regulatory body that was independent of influence from politicians, the media and the government.

He did acknowledge the press served the country "very well for the vast majority of the time," and held a privileged, powerful place as a defender of the public interest.

The Leveson Inquiry has just published its findings this week after David Cameron set it up in July 2011 following revelations that journalists at the News of the World had hacked into the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

The inquiry was led by Appeal Court judge Lord Justice Leveson and ran for eight months from November 2011.

It heard evidence from politicians, press and victims of media intrusion.

The 2,000-page report from Lord Justice Leveson said legislation had to back any new regulatory body to ensure it was effective.

Contrary to the reports at the time of dishonesty among politicians, journalists and the police, the report does not mention David Cameron in the Executive Summary.

Former senior police officer John Yates is criticised, but the Metropolitan Police has not had its integrity not called into question.

The report concluded: "The press has to be accountable to the public in whose interests it claims to be acting and must show respect for the rights of others.

"It should not be acceptable that it uses its voice, power, and authority to undermine the ability of society to require that regulation is not a free for all, to be ignored with impunity."

(IT/GK)

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