Regulatory Outcome of British Press Inquiry Uncertain (Video)

Posted on Nov 29, 2012

The Leveson Inquiry

At the end of a yearlong investigation into the conduct of British newspapers, the lead inspector fell short of calling for the establishment of a body to police the media industry. Instead, an “independent” entity should be directed to overhaul the organization by which the press regulates itself, he said.

According to a report by The Guardian, Lord Justice Leveson recommended that a government-approved organization such as Ofcom, which has some authority to promote competition between publishers and broadcasters, be appointed to oversee the reformation of the Press Complaints Commission, which will be relied upon to regulate the press. The PCC is currently a voluntary regulatory body with no legal powers and is fully funded by its member newspapers and magazines, meaning the industry polices itself.

With the exception of giving some legal power to the group that monitors the PCC, Leveson is uninterested in regulating the press outright. “The legislation would not establish a body to regulate the press: it would be up to the press to come forward with their own body that meets the criteria laid down,” he wrote in the report’s executive summary. An oversight body such as Ofcom would be legally empowered to step in if the PCC fails to do its job.

Whether the criteria Leveson hints at are strong enough to produce regulation that prevents wrongdoing, such as the phone hacking that prompted the investigation, will depend on how lawmakers decide to reform the PCC and what legal powers they grant the organization that oversees it.

—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

The Guardian:

In the 56-page summary to his wide-ranging 2,000-page report, Leveson says the purpose of legislation is “not to establish a body to regulate the press”. But he warns that if newspapers are not prepared to join a revamped PCC it will be necessary to force Ofcom to act as a “backstop regulator”.

Leveson says it is necessary for a body like Ofcom to monitor a revamped PCC to “reassure the public of its independence” – but insists that legislation would “not establish a body to regulate the press, that is for the press to do”.

Read more

The Guardian:
             
             
             

             

More Below the Ad

New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.