Cameron and Miliband call for the end of press self-regulation

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · July 08, 2011, 03:56 AM

I think this is broad enough, important enough to be a separate subject from the hacking scandal, although obviously that's the catalyst.

Cameron has joined Miliband in attacking the PCC, the body that the press themselves established to regulate the press. It has not been a success. Often it has been seen as toothless, and the press have ignored it when it suited them. One press Baron, Richard Desmond, owner of the Star and Express and a lot of pornography simply abandoned the pretence and withdrew his publications from the oversight of the PCC.

Cameron, having confirmed a second public inquiry into the hacking scandal has also brought in Nick Clegg to achieve cross-party support for the establishment of an independent body to carry oversight to the press.

The press conference is ongoing:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14076163

**Sharpe's Company** · July 08, 2011, 04:02 AM

Why not merge the industry into OFCOM, that is a fairly successful body.

**Jom** · July 08, 2011, 04:06 AM

This presents a dilemma for me, because any such body, however independent, can be accused of leaning on the press over certain issues, especially if members of that body are appointed by the government/Parliament and the post comes with a decent salary. It's a Catch-22 situation, really: either have a self-regulating press that turns out not to be self-regulating at all and blows up with scandals like this, or erode the idea of a free press.

**Vizsla** · July 08, 2011, 06:16 AM

The free press is one leg of the democracy tripod. Regulation of the press needs to be kept free from political interference.
Ofcom and other quangos are subject to political interference because politicians set them up and decide who is in charge making decisions.
Self-regulation is a joke, as always.
So we need a third option: maybe some kind of citizen jury? It would be cheaper than a quango too.

**Poach** · July 08, 2011, 06:55 AM

Hmm, a tough one here.

The Press over here certainly needs some sort of regulation, because some of these people lack any sort of morality and will happily lower themselves to any level if it means they'll get a good story out of it.

On the other hand, Government regulation of the Press is an attack on the Free Press.

Would it not simply be more prudent to pass a new Act drastically increasing the punishment and ease of conviction of journalists caught making these kinds of offences?

**Big War Bird** · July 08, 2011, 07:17 AM

Isn't what News of the World already illegal? If that's so then enforce current law and prosecute.

**justicar5** · July 08, 2011, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Big War Bird

Isn't what News of the World already illegal? If that's so then enforce current law and prosecute.

the individual journalists broke the law yes, but technically the only comeback to the paper is if they get sued. (which imho is WHY they are shutting it down, to avoid the law suits.)

Originally Posted by Ferrets54

Haha, Mine Fuhrer, classic.

Itt was pretty good that one.

**Father Jack** · July 08, 2011, 07:30 AM

I also have mixed feelings, but I think it really depends on how this independent commission will be chosen. I also have to wonder if MPs will really use it as a way of curbing the free press. Which is something I doubt they will be reckless enough to do. The situation at the moment is slightly oxymoronic in that we have a free press made up of powerful monopolies with their own, often dubious, agendas. That, however, is how things work if we believe that we live in a pluralistic democracy. But I guess the consumer is to blame for buying these, to quote Prince Philip, ghastly papers.

However the press in this country have shown that they cannot self regulate their content (see Richard Desmond), so some sort of action needs to be taken. Perhaps draconian prison sentences and hefty fines for hacking, bribery etc.

**Sharpe's Company** · July 08, 2011, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Viridios

However the press in this country have shown that they cannot self regulate their content (see Richard Desmond), so some sort of action needs to be taken. Perhaps draconian prison sentences and hefty fines for hacking, bribery etc.

During the Miners Strike they had a field day making up lies, and it came to a point when the printing union nearly went on strike because the Sun was constantly attacking Scargill. The printers eventually made threats that they would refuse to print unless they curbed their material! It came to a dramatic stand off when they did refuse to print the front cover of the Sun, because the title was 'mine fuhrer' with an added picture of Scargill with his hand in the air, suggesting he was Hitler.

The man behind the Sun at that time was the scumbag McKenzie.

**Graeme** · July 08, 2011, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Sharpe's Company

During the Miners Strike they had a field day making up lies, and it came to a point when the printing union nearly went on strike because the Sun was constantly attacking Scargill. The printers eventually made threats that they would refuse to print unless they curbed their material! It came to a dramatic stand off when they did refuse to print the front cover of the Sun, because the title was 'mine fuhrer' with an added picture of Scargill with his hand in the air, suggesting he was Hitler.

The man behind the Sun at that time was the scumbag McKenzie.

Also they had Hillsborough: The Truth. With the lies about Liverpool fans urinating and theiving from the dead and attacking police, once again MacKenzie behind it. Sad thing is lies sell and MacKenzie is still one of the most popular(more like notorious)media figures and is usually on the bbc debates.

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · July 08, 2011, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Sharpe's Company

During the Miners Strike they had a field day making up lies, and it came to a point when the printing union nearly went on strike because the Sun was constantly attacking Scargill. The printers eventually made threats that they would refuse to print unless they curbed their material! It came to a dramatic stand off when they did refuse to print the front cover of the Sun, because the title was 'mine fuhrer' with an added picture of Scargill with his hand in the air, suggesting he was Hitler.

The man behind the Sun at that time was the scumbag McKenzie.

Haha, Mine Fuhrer, classic.

**Big War Bird** · July 08, 2011, 07:50 AM

What would any oversight board hope to accomplish and how would it go about its business?

**Father Jack** · July 08, 2011, 01:08 PM

NotW can still be sued after it has closed down. News International will be the organisation getting sued.

**Caelifer_1991** · July 08, 2011, 03:07 PM

Government regulation plus hefty fines and prison sentences for crimes such as these ought to do the trick, free press would naturally be damaged in a way but press dominated by corporations that can act above the law is truly no better than press dominated by the state - even if it were to go that far, which I'm not suggesting.