The victims of phone hacking

[tobyaw]

According to news reports today, David Cameron has been accused of betraying the victims of phone hacking. In taking a principled stand against statutory regulation of the press in England, Cameron, like Alex Salmond has done in Scotland, is articulating a liberal position that I find very easy to agree with.

Many of the victims of the misbehaviour of the tabloid press have seen criminal cases develop from their stories. People have been jailed for phone hacking, and there are many pending criminal prosecutions. It is right that the victims have their opinions heard where a criminal act has occurred, and when it relates to the crime and the punishment for that crime.

But to be a victim of a specific criminal behaviour is a long way from making one an expert in the industry that encompasses the criminals. These victims — particularly the high profile media personalities — have their own agenda and are working with effective pressure groups to influence parliament. They cannot be expected to care about the impact that regulation may have on the newspaper industry, or to value traditional freedoms when they run counter to their immediate interests.

And I’m filled with the urge to stick my fingers in my ears and say “la la la” every time that Hugh Grant appears on the news.

Comments

[makyo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. This gave me the last little push I needed to go and sign the petition calling for the recommendations of the Leveson Report to be implemented in full.

[cuboid-ursinoid.livejournal.com]

Part of the problem I have is that supporting statutory regulation means I have to trust the politicians and supporting beefed up self regulation means having to trust the press. At the risk of stating the obvious I don't trust either much. Both are capable of behaving ethically. Both fail to do so rather too often for my liking. I do think we need a strong press to help hold politicians to account. I also think the little guy (the ones who can't afford to hire Max Clifford) need some protection. I guess we are damned either way.