The Press Reform Debate

Binakuromo Ogbebor

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-37265-1_2

Abstract

AbstractAs a consequence of the phone hacking scandal, the UK press became the focus of a heated public debate. Many questions were asked, and several answers offered. The press had behaved badly and needed to be tamed. But how? Who guards the guardian? How can the press regain its trust? What does this spell for democracy? These were some of the questions asked, as politicians, journalists, the police, the judiciary and other citizens deliberated on how to ensure an accountable press: one that can sustain democracy. Thus, the media became an arena to discuss some of the debates on how to reform the press, if at all. This chapter provides background knowledge on key issues in the debate that followed the News of the World phone hacking scandal. The key issues examined include press freedom, the public interest, privacy, press regulation and media ownership

Highlights

The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interest of national security, territorial integrity or public safety
If the only means of getting this information is through covert means, the media would not be considered as having broken the law by using such means
Journalists are, by the Editors’ Code of Practice, and by law, allowed to indulge in some otherwise unlawful acts when the acts are being done in the public interest

Summary

The Press Reform Debate

Issues relating to press freedom, the public interest, privacy and media ownership feature regularly in debates about press standards. The question is, “what is the best action for the government or other relevant authorities to take (or not take) to protect both the individual’s right to privacy and freedom of the press?” The Leveson Inquiry discussed high legal costs on the part of both journalists and citizens. Its proposals on these costs formed part of the issues of contention in the press reform debate. Its impact on the coverage makes it one of the key issues examined in this book

Concentration of Media Ownership

Findings

Conclusion