Set a Censor to Catch a Censor…PC advert censor given the job of advisor during the set up of a new press censor

Read more ASA Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from guardian.co.uk

Chris Smith, the ASA chairman, the Guardian columnist and ex-Times editor Simon Jenkins and Lord Phillips, the former president of the supreme court, have been appointed as the special advisers who will help set up a new press regulator. The trio have been asked by Press Complaints Commission chairman Lord Hunt to assist him establish an independent appointments process which will satisfy critics who have said appointments to the PCC has been too biased in favour of powerful newspaper figures. The shape of the new regulator to replace the PCC has yet to be decided but Hunt said he did not want to waste time waiting for the government to decide whether establishing the new watchdog would require legislation. Hunt said a group representing 120 newspaper and magazine editors would meet next Thursday to discuss a way forward. At this meeting he wants to present a draft contract which would bind all publishers to the decisions made by the new watchdog, including possible fines of up to ฃ 1m for breaches of its revised code of practice. Hunt also announced that members of the public will be asked to make suggestions for a revised code of practice for journalists. The public will have until 17 February to make suggestions for changes to the current code, which covers issues ranging from privacy and accuracy to guidelines on the use of subterfuge in the public interest. They can write to ianbeales@mac.com or the Editor’s Code Committee, PO Box 234, Stonehouse GL10 3UF.

Intruding on Privacy to Investigate Privacy Intrusion…Sun escapes PCC investigation of Harry photos

Read more PCC Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See  article from  guardian.co.uk

The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) says it would be inappropriate to look into Sun’s publication of nude photos of prince The PCC said it was in dialogue with Harry’s representatives, who had not yet made a formal complaint, and that any investigation without consent could pose an intrusion in itself. The Sun was the only British newspaper to defy a PCC advisory note not to publish the photos of Harry frolicking in the nude with an unnamed woman in Las Vegas. It is more or less standard policy that the PCC only investigate privacy claims if those affected complain.

The Writing’s Scrubbed Off the Wall for ATVOD…Jeremy Hunt seeks to dump the expensive and burdensome VOD censor, transferring the task to the up ‘n’ coming press censor

Read more ATVOD Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

7th July 2012. See  article from  guardian.co.uk

The government has asked the Leveson inquiry to consider giving the new press regulation body responsibility for web TV services ranging from Channel 4′s catch-up service, 4oD, to adult content such as Playboy. Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, has written to the inquiry into press ethics to suggest that the successor body to the Press Complaints Commission could become a one-stop shop for all news output by newspaper groups. In his letter to Leveson, Hunt said he was keen that a regulatory framework be developed that would stand the test of time and avoid the risk of obsolescence . He believes ATVOD should be folded into the new press regulatory body, arguing this would encourage newspapers to diversify into new types of audio-visual content because it would simplify regulatory requirements significantly . He believes that the current situation acts as an inhibitor to newspapers which want to expand video production. A recent Ofcom test case involving Sun Video placed all newspaper content outside ATVOD regulation. Hunt claimed some newspapers have curtailed their video production in order to remain free of the TV-on-demand regulator. Update: Not So Fast 11th July 2012. See  article from  guardian.co.uk . Thanks to edboal The Guardian article was amended on 7 July 2012 to explain that the new press regulator’s powers would only apply to web TV news rather than to all content, and to clarify that ATVOD would not be replaced by the new regulatory body.

Fine Words But Rotten Censors…Ofcom make a submission to the Leveson Inquiry advocating industry self regulation

Read more Ofcom Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from guardian.co.uk See Ofcom Submission to the Leveson Inquiry  [pdf] from media.ofcom.org.uk

In a paper submitted to the Leveson inquiry, the TV and radio censor, Ofcom, said reform of press regulation can be achieved if the body which takes over from the Press Complaints Commission is set up with a more robust framework and the power to impose proper sanctions on errant newspapers. Ofcom added: Properly constituted, effective and independent self-regulation could be the basis of a new model of press regulation. But the censor said that in order for self-regulation to work certain elements of the new regime, such as rules governing membership, may need to be recognised by a statute. In the areas of membership and governance, there could be concerns about whether self-regulation would be sufficient to develop a system with genuine legitimacy and capable of building public trust. A minimal enabling statute — or recognition in statute — could be necessary in these areas.

Internet Companies Asked to Pro-actively Censor Social Media…Government committee seems to envy Chinese censorship of the press and internet

Read more UK Parliament Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See press release from parliament.uk

In a report published on 27th March 2012, Parliament’s Joint Committee on Privacy and Injunctions says Parliament should not introduce any new privacy statute. It concludes that in weighing the competing rights to privacy and freedom of expression, each case must be judged on its own merits. The bar for limiting freedom of expression must be set high, but the Committee says that the courts are now striking a better balance in dealing with applications for privacy injunctions. It rejects criticism that privacy law has been judge-made, noting that it evolved from the Human Rights Act. The Committee says the most important step towards improving protection of privacy is to provide for enhanced censorship of the media. The Press Complaints Commission lacked the power, sanctions or independence to be truly effective. Substantial changes to press regulation are needed to ensure that it encompasses all major news publishers including, in time, major bloggers. The reformed media censor should: Have access to a wider range of sanctions, including the power to fine; be cost-free to complainants be able to determine the size and location of a published apology, and the date of publication play a greater role in arbitrating and mediating privacy disputes The body dealing with complaints should include representatives who have experience of working in the print media, but should not include any full-time employees of news publishers or individuals who have a demonstrable conflict of interest. To make self-regulation work, all publishers must sign up to the new regulator. One possible mechanism the Committee suggests is for advertisers to agree to advertise only in publications that are members of the press regulator and subscribe to its rules. A standing commission comprising members of both Houses of Parliament should be established to scrutinise industry-led press reforms and to report on them to Parliament. If the industry fails to establish an independent regulator which commands public confidence, the Government should seriously consider establishing some form of statutory oversight. This could involve giving Ofcom or another body overall statutory responsibility for press regulation, the day-to-day running of which it could then devolve to a self-regulatory body. The Committee says that major internet corporations should take active steps to limit the potential for breaches of court orders through use of their products and, if they fail to do so, legislation should be introduced to force them to. In addition, the Attorney General should be more willing to bring actions for civil contempt of court in respect of injunctions being breached online. It also concludes that parliamentarians should ensure that material subject to an injunction is only revealed in Parliament when there is good reason to do so. Gratuitous or repeated revelation of such information could lead to new parliamentary rules to prevent it. The media must be legally protected when reporting Parliament, and so qualified privilege should apply to the reporting of all proceedings in Parliament.

A Pressing Need for Change…Press Complaints Commission to undergo a rapid reformation before Leveson makes his report

Read more PCC Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from independent.co.uk

The Press Complaints Commission is to close itself down in a fast-tracked programme that will kill off the name of the PCC, abandon its current structures and governance, and establish a new regulatory body that will be in place well before Lord Justice Leveson delivers his report on the press at the end of this year. The accelerated close down was formally discussed at a full meeting of the commission chaired by Lord Hunt in London. Details of the formal close-down date and the potential names of the new body are expected to be revealed in six weeks when the full minutes of the meeting are approved and published shortly afterwards. Earlier this week Hunt is understood to have told some of his close Westminster colleagues of the imminent demise of the PCC. Hunt discussed the urgent need to have a new authority in place and functioning well ahead of the first draft and any early recommendations from Lord Justice Leveson. Simply stealing a march on anything Leveson might say was how one MP described the goodbye to the PCC.

A PCC PC Tangle…PCC asked to adjudicate over a press article about discriminatory haredi/charedi jews saying that they are discriminatory

Read more PCC Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from thejc.com

The Press Complaints Commission has rejected claims that a Jewish Chronicle (JC) column by Professor Geoffrey Alderman breached accuracy and discrimination rules. His article about the segregation of men and women, published on October 29 2011, included the claim that it is well known that Charedi men are notorious harassers of the opposite sex. According to one complainant the reference could not be substantiated and was inaccurate. But the PCC found that because the column was written from Professor Alderman’s perspective, it was clear to readers that the content reflected his views and experiences. The PCC also cleared the JC over the claim that it was discriminatory to suggest that Charedim were notorious for committing such acts. Chris Paget, a complaints officer at the PCC said: The article did not make a prejudicial or pejorative reference to the religion of a particular individual, but rather expressed the columnist’s views on Charedi men in general. To come to an inevitably subjective judgment as to whether such material is tasteless or offensive would amount to the Commission acting as a moral arbiter, which can lead to censorship.

The Old Guard Marched Off the Premises…Director of the PCC stands down at the end of the month

Read more PCC Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See press release from pcc.org.uk

Stephen Abell, the Director of the Press Complaints Commission since the beginning of 2010, has announced that he will be leaving the PCC at the end of February. He is leaving to become a partner at Pagefield communications consultancy, where he will take responsibility for media relations and crisis communication. Lord Hunt, Chair of the PCC, said: When I joined the PCC last year, Stephen and I agreed that we would work together until we were in a position to propose a new structure for self-regulation of the press. I have valued his assistance in this, and his professionalism in leading the PCC’s staff as they continued their important work during a difficult period. It is testament to him that the service to complainants, both those in the public eye and those without claim to celebrity, has improved and expanded over the last few years. I wish him success in all his future endeavours. The PCC has appointed Michael McManus, who has wide experience in the worlds of journalism and politics, as Director of Transition. He will continue the work on ongoing proposals for reformed, independent self-regulation of the press. He will be part of a new senior team at the PCC, including Director of Communications Jonathan Collett and Charlotte Dewar, who has been promoted to Head of Complaints and Pre-Publication Services. Stephen Abell said: It has been a great privilege to work over the years with the committed, wonderful staff and board members of the PCC. I have been involved with the PCC for more than a decade, and I decided last year that it was time for a new challenge. First, I wanted to work with David Hunt in the development of positive proposals for a new structure of self-regulation. I believe we have now done that. I also wanted to give a full account of the work of the PCC to Lord Justice Leveson. I remain a firm supporter of enhanced self-regulation for the press, maintaining all that is good about the work of the PCC, and am confident that this will be achieved as a result of the Leveson Inquiry.

Envisaging a Compensation Culture…David Hunt proposes a new press regulator with the ability to fine newspapers that break its rules

Read more PCC Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from guardian.co.uk

David Hunt, the new chairman of the Press Complaints Commission has unveiled a blueprint for a totally new newspaper watchdog which he hopes will eradicate bad journalism and practices that have brought shame on the industry. He told the Leveson inquiry that he was, however, flatly opposed to statutory regulation of newspapers, arguing that it would open a Pandora’s box which would give the opportunity to unscrupulous politicians to try to curb the freedom of the press. The new regulatory body proposed by Hunt would have real powers to investigate allegations such as phone hacking, illegal computer hacking or general press intrusion by reporters or paparazzi. It would also have the power to impose fines and award compensation to victims of the press, he said, with newspapers signing binding contracts to adhere to its rulings for five years at a time. The new body would be far more robust than the PCC and be independent of influence by present editors, according to Hunt, with a three-pronged structure involving units providing a swift complaints resolution service, a standards arm and an arbitration operation which would assess damages.

Worthless Kitemarks…PCC to suggest that bloggers should buy into press accuracy standards

Read more PCC Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from liberalconspiracy.org

The new PCC chairman Lord Hunt has told journalist David Hencke in an interview: At the moment, it is like the Wild West out there. We need to appoint a sheriff. He’s referring to bloggers. His plan is to invite political bloggers to volunteer for regulation by the PCC’s replacement. Blogs who promise to abide by the new code will get a kitemark of approval. The PCC will be replaced with a body more independent of newspapers, David Hencke is told, and the plans will be presented to the Leveson Inquiry. Lord Hunt tells him: I want accuracy to be the new gold standard for blogs. Once they have agreed to be accurate, everything would follow from that. I would like to see a Kitemark on the best blogs so the public can trust what they read in them. And there’s a catch, bloggers will have to pay to be regulated, like newspapers, reports Jon Slattery. So is the current press ‘accurate’? They just add a final paragraph to a piece saying something like the government refutes all accusations. The PCC kitemark doesn’t seem to stop newspapers from claiming 40,000 trafficked sex workers turn up at world sports events, or that computer games are the root of all evil, or that sexy adverts undermine civilisation, or that a couple of tweets represent an ‘outraged’ nation. Perhaps I should add that all so important balancing paragraph… Mr Man-in-the-Street says that the British press accuracy is the best in the world and is 2nd to none.