Britain seals deal to regulate press

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 12 years ago

LONDON: Britain's three main political parties agreed on Monday to create a new system to regulate the country's scandal-hungry newspapers, after a public inquiry exposed a culture of industrial-scale phone hacking and other unethical behavior.

The deal, which was expected to pass through parliament later on Monday, will establish a new press regulator, introduce fines of up to 1 million pounds and oblige newspapers to print prominent apologies where appropriate.

The system will be voluntary, but there will be strong financial incentives to encourage newspapers to opt into it.

"What we have today, which is a good thing, is a cross-party agreement," said a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron, saying the deal was struck in the early hours of Monday morning.

"It will put in place a strong system of independent regulation of the press."

The government came under pressure to create a new regulatory system after a judge-led inquiry and a series of arrests laid bare a disturbing culture of phone hacking and malpractice in some parts of the press.

The way that some tabloid newspapers reported the disappearance and death of two children attracted particular criticism.

But concerns that any deal would imperil press freedom delayed agreement, with some press barons threatening to boycott a new regulatory regime and campaigners for tougher regulation accusing Cameron of being in thrall to the press.

Monday's deal spares Cameron what was shaping up to be an embarrassing political defeat in parliament that would have deepened rifts in his coalition government.

The three parties had been divided over whether a new press regulator should be enshrined in law and over how its members would be chosen, but reached a compromise after agreeing to enact legislation to ensure the new system cannot be easily altered later. - Reuters

Explore Further

Serbian Journalists’ Association condemns attacks and threats against reporters

 November 11, 2025: IJAS condemns rising attacks and threats against journalists in Serbia and calls for urgent investigations, police accountability, and stronger protection for media freedom.

Journalist murders in Europe: 32 unsolved cases undermine media freedom

 November 10, 2025: In Europe, 32 of 51 journalist killings remain unresolved, exposing a crisis of impunity and threatening media freedom across the continent.

Moldovan journalist Mariana Rață receives death threat after interview

 November 04, 2025: TV8 journalist Mariana Rata in Moldova receives a death threat after interviewing politician Renato Usatii on-air, raising concerns about journalist safety.

Belarus court jails journalist Siarhei Chabotska for three-and-a-half years over 'extremism' charges

 November 01, 2025: Belarus court jails journalist Siarhei Chabotska for extremism and defaming the president, highlighting Minsk’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom.

Mexican journalist Miguel Angel Beltran found murdered; CPJ demands justice

 November 01, 2025: Mexican journalist Miguel Angel Beltran was found murdered in Durango. CPJ urges authorities to ensure justice amid rising violence against journalists in Mexico.

One in three media lawyers unable to defend journalists, UNESCO survey finds

 November 01, 2025: UNESCO survey finds one-third of media lawyers cannot effectively defend journalists due to threats, limited resources, and lack of specialization.

Radio Free Asia suspends news operations amid US funding freeze

 October 31, 2025: Radio Free Asia, a US government-funded broadcaster covering tightly controlled Asian media environments, has suspended all news operations after federal funding dried up.

Senegal 7TV Director Maimouna Ndour Faye arrested in live broadcast raid

 October 30, 2025: CDEPS and CPJ condemn the arrest of 7TV’s Maimouna Ndour Faye and other journalists in a late October crackdown on Senegalese media over interviews with a wanted politician.