LEVESON INQUIRY:CULTURE, PRACTICE AND ETHICS OF THE PRESS
"I want this inquiry to mean something", not end up as "footnote in some professor of journalism's analysis of 21 century history." LJ Leveson in reply to A Rusbridger's submission to Inquiry. |
| Lord Justice Leveson |
Here's a quick reminder of the four modules within this first year of the inquiry.
Module 1: The relationship between the press and the public and looks at phone-hacking and other potentially illegal behaviourModule 2: The relationships between the press and police and the extent to which that has operated in the public interest
Module 3: The relationship between press and politiciansModule 4: Recommendations for a more effective policy and regulation that supports the integrity and freedom of the press while encouraging the highest ethical standards.
Witness list for this week (23rd - 26th January) to be found HERE
Video Recordings of each day's proceedings HERE
Live Feed From Leveson Inquiry Site HERE
BBC Democracy Live Feed HERE
Guardian Live Blog (for yesterday's proceedings)
Telegraph Live Blog
BBC News Leveson Inquiry Page
#Leveson Twitter Feed
Dan Sabbagh (Guardian Journalist) Twitter timeline
Ben Fenton (Journalist FT) live Leveson tweets and comments
Hackinginquiry on Twitter (Hacked Off)
Telegraph Live Blog
BBC News Leveson Inquiry Page
#Leveson Twitter Feed
Dan Sabbagh (Guardian Journalist) Twitter timeline
Ben Fenton (Journalist FT) live Leveson tweets and comments
Hackinginquiry on Twitter (Hacked Off)
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| Misleading headlines? |
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Today's links to articles, info and comments relevant to the Leveson Inquiry (frequently updated) :
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Tuesday January 24th 2012
(link to Hearing for day 29 HERE )
To recap. This is TOO RAUNCHY: http://t.co/q9JAxBUu This is PUBLIC INTEREST JOURNALISM: http://t.co/AjTT3BjK #leveson
Today's Witnesses:
Inayat Bunglawala (Engage)
Fiona Fox (Science Media Centre)
Heather Harvey (Eaves Housing for Women)
Heather Harvey (Eaves Housing for Women)
Jonathan Heawood (PEN)
Jacqui Hunt (Equality Now)
John Kampfner (Index on Censorship)
Marai Larasi (End Violence Against Women)
Gary O'Shea (News International)
Ryan Parry (Trinity Mirror)
Anna Van Heeswijk (Object)
Stephen Waring (News International)
Inayat Bunglawala (Engage)
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| Inayat Bunglawala |
Inayat Bunglawala , now up, works for Engage, non-profit organisation working in media and politics on behalf of British Muslims #leveson
Headlines seem to be aimed at stirring up resentment towards Muslims - Jay cites various headlines.
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| Small sample of what Bunglawala spoke about |
Speaking about the poppy banning headline in Daily Star. he tackled Star and they couldn't find evidence. One small correction was printed. Article in Star HERE.
Complained about Lord Ahmed being described as 'Muslim Peer' in Telegraph HERE
Melanie Philipps at Daily Mai described Engage as extremist muslim group funded by the Government. Engage have been seeking redress and correction for this for months. HERE
Very little satisfaction from the PCC. Only explanation Bunglawala can think of is that the papers want to wind people up. One front page of the Express now used by BNP to try to generate support.
Bunglawala pleads for speed in redress - a body should deal with complaints speedily.
Thinks make up of present PCC is not right - Editors should not be on the Committee. Apologies made by newspapers are tiny - hopes Inquiry will ensure retractions and aplogies are commensurate with harm done. Star keeps repeating same mistakes. Have to ask what value one line apologies are.
Leveson comments no redress from PCC for misreporting by Desmond's Star or Express. Bunglawala says they are perhaps worst.
Leveson ends by saying he thinks Mr Bunglawala was very moderate in giving his evidence.
Mail's lawyer says there is a "resolution in immediate sight" on the Bunglawala / Melanie Phillips complaint #leveson
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| Fiona Fox |
Witness Statement in Full
Independent press office for Scientific community. (largely to address debacle of MMR reporting)
Says the MMR story was a small study over reported throughout media. Left public feeling medical scientists were divided over MMR vaccine when they weren't.
Fox: media let the public down over MMR because controversy was stirred up by a single voice, Dr Andrew Wakefield. #Leveson #hacking
Fox: the best ally of science are the science reporters. We have some fantastic science journalists in this country. #leveson
Headlines sometimes downright misleading - has examples - Balanced report written by a science journalist but lurid headline put on it later when edited for print.
Cites latest headlines from this morning - Daily Mail - Legally Blind Patients Have Improved Vision After Stem-cell Treatment , Claim Scientists
Independent hype Stem cell study HERE.
Lauds the Guardian for having a designated Science Editor. Would see end of over-hyping, terrifying headlines. Swine flu hype - Guardian.
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| Swine flu hype |
From Telegraph Live Blog:
Scientific studies should not be on the front page when they are at the preliminary stages, Ms Fox has suggested. She suggested extraordinary claims about results of trials and studies should be on page 10 of a newspaper rather than the front with caveats.
We love science on the front page but I think it would resolve a lot of problems if journalists didn’t overclaim for the studies.14.51 Newspapers would benefit from more science specialists, says Ms Fox.
Mentions Delingpole and his views on Climate Change - entitled to his opinions but even faced with the evidence, Delingpole persists in peddling inaccuracies.
Fox: columnists are often 'blatantly inaccurate'. 'We question whether papers can disregard accuracy when it comes to columnists' #Leveson
Telegraph Live Blog:
Scientific studies should not be on the front page when they are at the preliminary stages, Ms Fox has suggested. She suggested extraordinary claims about results of trials and studies should be on page 10 of a newspaper rather than the front with caveats.
We love science on the front page but I think it would resolve a lot of problems if journalists didn’t overclaim for the studies.
Jonathan Heawood (PEN)
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| Jonathan Heawood |
Witness Statement in Full
Heawood: right to Article 10 is now one we can actively enjoy through internet #leveson
Heawood: We are all now potential publishers and have the capacity to become producers of media content. #Leveson
Heawood cites the case of Heather Brook (expenses whistleblower, had disc of data). she was hung out to dry through the law.
Heawood wants more voices to be heard apart from the 'big beasts'. Leveson says it depends, surely, who has the megaphone. Who has the power? Heawood says the press is to some extent failing in its job of speaking truth to power. Telegraph has much deeper pockets and therefore has more power to influence, access to justice.
Heawood: important to get law right. Individual campaigner needs to be secure they can pursue story #leveson
Heawood thinks it can only be a partial defence - can't have a blanket public exemption - if an article gives public better understanding of society then that would be valid. Good faith of journalist comes into it - some use it as an excuse - journalist's good faith may be faulty. Needs to be a narrow definition - defence against a real tort, real harm.
Prior notification:
Heawood: the cost of defending a libel or an application for injunction is so great that it does have a potentially chilling effect #leveson
Regulation:
#Leveson @jheawood says Readers Ombudsman innovation at Guardian a good model for resolving complaints...
John Kampfner (Index on Censorship)
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| John Kampfner |
Kampfner notes that post riots Cameron sought to "shoot the blackberry messenger" and it was not the medium that was at fault #Leveson
Kampfner refers to his Witness Statement and speaks about 'lazy journalism' - Westminster lobby - a media that was 'extraordinary compliant'.
When he was a lobby journalist, he saw a culture of spin doctors just 'feeding the beast' (the journalists) - cites an instance when he was being briefed about T Blair's activities on a particular day - he questioned the repetitious items in briefing. was told to 'shut up and get writing'. When a politician was down, journalists were able to give him a good kicking.
Kampfner: most of the time media beasts weren't feral, were locked up #leveson.
Kampfner: simply ask yourself, did the media find out too much or too little? (on news stories like WMDs and financial crash). #Leveson
Kampfner: copious laws need to be better enforced, editorial governance improved #leveson
Kampfner at #leveson : there was a sense of services rendered; most of the time media beasts weren't feral but were "locked up"
Kampfner speaks about paparazzi and Sienna Miller - Index' contention is that is covered in the existing law and could be dealt with by that.
Public interest:
Laws adequate but not enforced. Test in libel has now broad consensus that not fit for purpose. Isn't in many cases a strong enough defence of public interest acknowledged in the courts. Agrees with Heawood.
In Whitehall is suspicion that many facts are kept secret - cites a case he was involved in. Gvmnt pleaded Official Secrets Act. Was to 'save the bacon' of a cabinet minister. Media are faced with wall of laws to stop them finding information.
Privacy:
Some of main problems arose from the Hanover case where everything is private unless we say otherwise - subsequently, as in cases with footballers, has to be a strong public interest argument. Von Hannover v. Germany (June 2004)
Prior notification:
#Leveson Prior notification rule would mean UK joins press regimes of Moldova, Azerbaijan and other beacons of freedom @johnkampfnerCode needs tweaking. No serving editors on panel. Former editors may not be up to mark with new innovation.
#leveson Kampfner says the "I was in Tuscany" excuse from editors whose journos get it wrong while they're away isn't good enough
Public interest:
Laws adequate but not enforced. Test in libel has now broad consensus that not fit for purpose. Isn't in many cases a strong enough defence of public interest acknowledged in the courts. Agrees with Heawood.
In Whitehall is suspicion that many facts are kept secret - cites a case he was involved in. Gvmnt pleaded Official Secrets Act. Was to 'save the bacon' of a cabinet minister. Media are faced with wall of laws to stop them finding information.
Kampfner: The current public interest defence, in libel, we have contended from the outset. Reynolds Defence is not strong enough. #Leveson
Record of Parliament in working towards greater transparency is poor.
Privacy:
Some of main problems arose from the Hanover case where everything is private unless we say otherwise - subsequently, as in cases with footballers, has to be a strong public interest argument. Von Hannover v. Germany (June 2004)
Prior notification:
Kampfner: countries that require prior notification are not paragons of free expression (eg Russia, Azerbaijan) #leveson
Regulation:
Jacqui Hunt (Equality Now)
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| Jacqui Hunt |
Witness Statement in Full
Telegraph Live Blog
Hunt: freedom of the press is vital but we have to find a way to make sure women aren't objectified #Leveson #hacking
"Sexist stereotyping in media...normalises sexism in society...and limits women's participation in society" #leveson
Marai Larasi (End Violence Against Women)
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| Marai Larasi |
Telegraph Live Blog
Media creates attitudes - shouldn't inaccurately report to encourage rape - reporting only defence perspective - language can sometimes imply victim encouraged her own rape/violence.
Facebook Status Murder - Was portrayed more as a result of grievance against woman changing her status on fb, not as a murder of a woman.
Rape reporting: - Should focus on plight of young woman rather than 'orgy' language used.
Words such as "orgy" "lolita" used in report on rape of 12 year old girls #leveson
Judge #Leveson looked shocked as he read the exhibits from Object and Turn Yr Back on Page 3. Examples of objectification & sexualisation
Two articles discussing examples in the Daily Mail http://bit.ly/xfaKL5 and http://bit.ly/A54YQn #leveson #mediasexism
From Telegraph Live Blog:
Marai Larasi is now answering questions about the trivialisation of violence against women and children. She touches on coverage of honour-based killings and forced marriages. She says:
[It's] the frequency with which the focus is on a Muslim father. From our perspective as experts working around violence against women and girls, we know this is not a Muslim issue. The causes are the same, it’s violence against women and girls, it’s patriarchy. We would want people to provide a broad perspective.
That Telegraph article which blamed women dressing provocatively for being raped, blog here: http://bit.ly/yYETJf #leveson
Larasi suggests complaints system similar to Advertising Standards Authority that can deal wth complaints of sexualisation of women #Leveson
oh, that hideous, vile Telegraph rape story Larasi just mentioned at
Anna Van Heeswijk (Object)
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| Anna Van Heeswijk |
Telegraph Live Blog
Increasingly, women objectified - young people sexualised - tabloids. women made into sex-objects - through images - displayed at child's eye-level. Degrading images - proposing simple solution.
Speaks about the Sun - common theme - page 3 - woman objectified. Sport and Star similar. 'Dear Deirdre' page sexualised women in underwear portrayed as sexual object. Kelly Brook reduced to a pair of breasts 'Mitchell Brothers'.
Now discussing a week in the life of 3 tabloids - week from Nov 2011 #leveson
Van Heeswijk: trying to illustrate extent to which women are portrayed as a sum of sexualised body parts within p3 of tab press #leveson
Readily available sexual article/pictures not placed on top shelf, but are easy reach for children. Wouldn't be shown before watershed on TV - from a paper which describes itself as a 'family paper'. Parents, teachers find campaigning against these pictures difficult. Large readership mean when children asked to bring papers in, very often it's the Sun. Teachers often have to confiscate.
van Heeswijk at #leveson : Sun simultaneously carries adverts for porn and sex industry and offers Lego on front page
Van Heeswijk. Teachers tell us about their difficulties with The Sun. Kids bring them into school. The reading age of them is low. #leveson
Daily Star - Imagery on front pages very relevant - child's eye-level
Van Heeswijk: Sun eroticises sexual harassment of women & only reports on Pippa Middleton in relation to her bottom #Leveson
Van Heeswijk flicks through latest Sunday Sport: women degraded, objectified, portrayed as sex objects on almost every page #Leveson
Van Heeswijk talking about Charlotte Church's pic when she turned 15 on Daily Star with headline "She's a big girl now" #leveson
Whoah Images of women from 'mainstream' papers and mags submitted to Leveson censored All freely available in newsagents #leveson
Anna van Heeswijk for Object and TYBOP3 just gave a bravura performance on #mediasexism at #leveson about disgraceful Sun, Star, Sport.
Telegraph Live Blog:
Telegraph Live Blog:
Lord Justice Leveson intervenes and asks Ms Harvey if there is less interest in reporting marital assaults because of issues of anonymity. She replies:
I think it's more about the stereotype and perception of what is a real rape.
Van Heeswijk talking about Sun's attack on Clare Short for branding Page 3 porn #leveson
Heather Harvey (Eaves Housing For Women)
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| Heather Harvey |
Witness Statement in Full
Telegraph Live Blog
Strongly support freedom of press expression - doesn't always tackle what high ideals of press is about - misrepresent - can shape and reinforce values in society - misleading interpretations often reinforced. Better guidelines needed.
Stranger rapes = minority of rapes, and yet reporting of rape focuses on these & on false allegations. Completely distorts reality #leveson
"This is about intimidating women into knowing their place," says Heather Harvey about sexist abuse in comment threads etc #leveson
Gary O'Shea (The Sun)
Witness Statement in Full
Gary O'Shea, Sun reporter now giving evidence about its coverage of Jefferies #leveson
O'Shea: this pupil was giving his memories of Mr Jefferies, who was his teacher... We quoted him fairly and accurately. #leveson
Telegraph Live Blog:
One of Mr O'Shea's articles, headlined "Obsessed with death", was based on an interview with a former pupil, who recalled being shown a film about the Auschwitz concentration camp. Mr O'Shea says:
We have accepted that our tone of coverage should have been more neutral and dispassionate. We didn’t adhere perhaps our obligations to report on this case in a dispassionate and neutral manner.
O'Shea: we don't often go wrong, when it looks like we're about to go wrong, we usually put it right #leveson
Stephen Waring (Publishing Director News International)
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| Stephen Waring |
Witness Statement in Full
Stephen Waring Sun's publishing director now up, was duty editor when Jefferies stories discussed here were published #leveson
Waring: the overall impression of our coverage was far too strong and there was a lack of balance. #Leveson #hacking
Lord Justice #Leveson: to my untutored mind this wasn't even close to being on the right side of contempt of court act #hacking
Telegraph Live Blog:
The Sun discussed whether or not to pursue stories in other newspapers that claimed Mr Jefferies had links to a convicted paedophile, and as a result of the murder investigation, another murder case was to be reopened, the inquiry hears. Mr Waring said he decided against it.
I perfectly readily accept what we did publish was too strong but I attempted with the lawyer to try and strike a balance between what we could say and what would keep us the right side of the law. We got that wrong and committed contempt of court and libel, for which we have apologised.
Waring: Jefferies case was genuine watershed moment for our newspaper. Attorney General took much harder line on contempt of court #Leveson
Since the case of Mr Jefferies, the Sun has decided against using material that might risk contempt of court, Mr Waring says. He cites the example of the conviction of Levi Bellfield for the murder of Milly Dowler, while another charge was still being deliberated over.
Waring at #leveson : please don't judge my colleagues by the errors I made in this edition
Ryan Parry (Trinity Mirror)
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| Ryan Parry |
Won a number of press awards for scoops. especially his Buckingham Palace undercover work. - 'Footman' Prompts Palace Security Probe - Daily Mail
Parry at #leveson : very much a security scandal at Buckingham Palace, vetting procedures were shameful, review concluded HMQ was at risk
Christopher Jefferies involvement -
Parry: my role was to compile a background article on Mr Jefferies, as would be normal practice with any murder investigation #leveson
Parry at #leveson - is a tension with contempt of court in doing Jefferies background piece, but aimed to be as balanced as possible
Jay to Ryan Parry (Mirror) : How do you reconcile creating a negative background of Chris Jefferies with contempt of court ? #leveson
Leveson asks if Parry can see how what he wrote could be thought of as libellous. Parry said lots of papers were the same. Leveson says he can understand this but he's concerned with how things like this keep happening.
Decisions at editorial level are out of his hands. All they can do is learn from this and improve in future.
Jay picking our derogatory words from Parry's description of Christopher Jefferies. Jay says it gives a negative picture. Parry then quotes all of the positive things he wrote about Jefferies. Jay wonders if this would cancel out all of the negative things he wrote.
Jay quotes from piece published after arrest which described Jefferies as "local oddball", "arrogant & rude", "eccentric" #leveson
Parry points out article also said Jefferies was positive, dedicated, respected, witty, gregarious #leveson
From Telegraph Live Blog:
Mr Parry says the Mirror apologises to Mr Jefferies for "vilifying" him in such a way. He said this was a "watershed" moment for the media.
He says: "I am happy with the way I conducted myself on this particular story. The decisions that are made at an editorial level are out of my hands. All we can do is learn from this and hopefully improve for the future."
Jay says whole story was 'built on flimsy timber'. Many supportive emails from acquaintances etc were largely ignored. Going thro' more examples of language and vocabulary which seems designed to portray C Jefferies in bad light.
Jay asks, in terms of Parry's own journalism, would Parry like to show examples of articles which show lessons learned. Parry says none come to mind.
Jay asks if there's pressure to produce faster, more dramatic stories than his competitors'. Parry says no. Doesn't accept that his stories were hyperbolic, sensationalist.
Tabloids could have lot worse representative than Ryan Parry. I've met him & on a 'treat people as you find' basis he's a good guy #leveson
