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Newspapers split over press regulator Newspapers split over press regulator
(6 months later)
Downing Street and Labour were on Tuesday insisting that an increasingly rebellious newspaper industry will eventually sign up to the new system of press regulation backed by parliament on Monday, hinting that opinion polls and fiscal incentives will force the newspaper industry to realise the dangers of rejecting it.Downing Street and Labour were on Tuesday insisting that an increasingly rebellious newspaper industry will eventually sign up to the new system of press regulation backed by parliament on Monday, hinting that opinion polls and fiscal incentives will force the newspaper industry to realise the dangers of rejecting it.
But the newspaper groups appeared to be moving to boycott the new system, and with a split emerging between the publishers of the Sun and the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, which could raise the prospect of the remaining newspaper groups, including the Financial Times, the Guardian and the Independent, being the only titles regulated by the new government-backed watchdog.But the newspaper groups appeared to be moving to boycott the new system, and with a split emerging between the publishers of the Sun and the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, which could raise the prospect of the remaining newspaper groups, including the Financial Times, the Guardian and the Independent, being the only titles regulated by the new government-backed watchdog.
The Spectator's Fraser Nelson and Ian Hislop of Private Eye have become the first magazine editors to decline to join the proposed press regulator. Local newspapers and magazines could also set up on their own, insiders have warned, while Scotland is also threatening a separate system.The Spectator's Fraser Nelson and Ian Hislop of Private Eye have become the first magazine editors to decline to join the proposed press regulator. Local newspapers and magazines could also set up on their own, insiders have warned, while Scotland is also threatening a separate system.
There is dismay in cabinet circles at the way in which the deal appeared to have been sealed in a meeting between Cameron's policy adviser, Oliver Letwin, the deputy prime minster, Nick Clegg, the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, and members of the pro-Leveson lobby group Hacked Off in Miliband's office early on Monday morning.There is dismay in cabinet circles at the way in which the deal appeared to have been sealed in a meeting between Cameron's policy adviser, Oliver Letwin, the deputy prime minster, Nick Clegg, the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, and members of the pro-Leveson lobby group Hacked Off in Miliband's office early on Monday morning.
It is understood that the chancellor, George Osborne, is one of those dismayed by the impression those events gave, and believes it will make it harder for the deal to be sold to the newspaper industry.It is understood that the chancellor, George Osborne, is one of those dismayed by the impression those events gave, and believes it will make it harder for the deal to be sold to the newspaper industry.
In a sign of the low esteem the celebrity wing of Hacked Off is held in cabinet circles the communities secretary, Eric Pickles, referred to Hugh Grant as "the leader of the opposition Lord Grant of Rodeo Drive".In a sign of the low esteem the celebrity wing of Hacked Off is held in cabinet circles the communities secretary, Eric Pickles, referred to Hugh Grant as "the leader of the opposition Lord Grant of Rodeo Drive".
A Tory backbencher Mark Reckless conjured up the spirit of union defiance in the 1970s by saying he hoped the press would not co-operate with the regulator in the way the unions refused to recognise the Heath government's industrial relations court.A Tory backbencher Mark Reckless conjured up the spirit of union defiance in the 1970s by saying he hoped the press would not co-operate with the regulator in the way the unions refused to recognise the Heath government's industrial relations court.
A poll published by YouGov showed strong support for the press to co-operate with the new system of regulation, and by a majority of 81% to 6% respondents backed the idea of prominent enforced corrections.A poll published by YouGov showed strong support for the press to co-operate with the new system of regulation, and by a majority of 81% to 6% respondents backed the idea of prominent enforced corrections.
Lord Justice Leveson had said that the system of regulation would only work if a majority of newspapers co-operated by joining a system of regulation.Lord Justice Leveson had said that the system of regulation would only work if a majority of newspapers co-operated by joining a system of regulation.
Brian Cathcart, director of Hacked Off, the victim's campaign, said personally that if the newspapers refused to co-operate, the government itself should set up a temporary regulator until the industry decides to do so. However, it is not clear that the royal charter, due to be endorsed by privy council in the next few weeks, allows the government, as opposed to the industry to set up the regulator.Brian Cathcart, director of Hacked Off, the victim's campaign, said personally that if the newspapers refused to co-operate, the government itself should set up a temporary regulator until the industry decides to do so. However, it is not clear that the royal charter, due to be endorsed by privy council in the next few weeks, allows the government, as opposed to the industry to set up the regulator.
The royal charter, unlike Leveson, is also silent on the need for a majority of newspapers to co-operate for the system to be accepted by the recognition body.The royal charter, unlike Leveson, is also silent on the need for a majority of newspapers to co-operate for the system to be accepted by the recognition body.
In theory newspapers that fail to join a regulator are more likely to be subject to exemplary damages and costs if they publish libellous and inaccurate material.In theory newspapers that fail to join a regulator are more likely to be subject to exemplary damages and costs if they publish libellous and inaccurate material.
Speaking to the culture select committee, the former Formula 1 boss Max Moseley, who has campaigned for greater regulations of the press, was optimistic the industry would calm down.Speaking to the culture select committee, the former Formula 1 boss Max Moseley, who has campaigned for greater regulations of the press, was optimistic the industry would calm down.
He said: "The reason they'll join is that in the end they're all running a business. It will be much better commercially for them to be part of the regulator than outside itHe said: "The reason they'll join is that in the end they're all running a business. It will be much better commercially for them to be part of the regulator than outside it
"When they sit and look at it calmly they'll realise it will save them a fortune in legal fees and commercial interests will prevail. Even if the editors don't like it, their proprietors who are interested in the money will say 'I am sorry you have got to do it'.""When they sit and look at it calmly they'll realise it will save them a fortune in legal fees and commercial interests will prevail. Even if the editors don't like it, their proprietors who are interested in the money will say 'I am sorry you have got to do it'."
Downing Street is likely to be hoping that Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation, and Barclay brothers, owners of the Telegraph group, will take up this attitude.Downing Street is likely to be hoping that Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation, and Barclay brothers, owners of the Telegraph group, will take up this attitude.
But Daily Telegraph deputy editor, Benedict Brogan, said on Tuesday he believed the right course of action was to launch a breakaway regulator. Brogan wrote: "For my part – and this is a personal view – I've concluded that we should note the outcome, thank the politicians for their engagement, and quietly but firmly decline to take part."But Daily Telegraph deputy editor, Benedict Brogan, said on Tuesday he believed the right course of action was to launch a breakaway regulator. Brogan wrote: "For my part – and this is a personal view – I've concluded that we should note the outcome, thank the politicians for their engagement, and quietly but firmly decline to take part."
Fraser Nelson, the editor of the political weekly the Spectator, said press regulation was too important an issue to be answered by "some tawdry deal cooked up at two in the morning in Ed Miliband's office. It's not something the Spectator feels like signing up to".Fraser Nelson, the editor of the political weekly the Spectator, said press regulation was too important an issue to be answered by "some tawdry deal cooked up at two in the morning in Ed Miliband's office. It's not something the Spectator feels like signing up to".
The two bills introducing statutory changes to make the system of press regulation work – the enterprise and regulatory reform bill and the crime and courts bill – have yet to complete their parliamentary passage. It is possible that the coalition could make minor changes to both bills, especially on punitive damages when the courts bill returns to the Lords, but the scope for further amendments after months of inter-party talks seems slim.The two bills introducing statutory changes to make the system of press regulation work – the enterprise and regulatory reform bill and the crime and courts bill – have yet to complete their parliamentary passage. It is possible that the coalition could make minor changes to both bills, especially on punitive damages when the courts bill returns to the Lords, but the scope for further amendments after months of inter-party talks seems slim.
Adrian Jeakings, chief executive of Archant, one of the country's local newspaper groups and owner of four daily local papers and 60 weekly titles, said he feared the system could "open the floodgates to compensation payments" and "would place a crippling burden on the UK's 1,100 local newspapers, inhibiting freedom of speech and the freedom to publish".Adrian Jeakings, chief executive of Archant, one of the country's local newspaper groups and owner of four daily local papers and 60 weekly titles, said he feared the system could "open the floodgates to compensation payments" and "would place a crippling burden on the UK's 1,100 local newspapers, inhibiting freedom of speech and the freedom to publish".
Harriet Harman, shadow culture secretary, said little in response to the threat of a boycott of the proposals agreed by the political parties. But late on Monday night she told MPs: "After Leveson reported, the judge said the ball was now in the politicians' court. He asked us all to work together to agree and we did. Now the ball is in the press's court and I hope they will rise to the challenge."Harriet Harman, shadow culture secretary, said little in response to the threat of a boycott of the proposals agreed by the political parties. But late on Monday night she told MPs: "After Leveson reported, the judge said the ball was now in the politicians' court. He asked us all to work together to agree and we did. Now the ball is in the press's court and I hope they will rise to the challenge."
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