THE LEVESON REPORT

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS OUR FREEDOM TOO

So, after millions of pounds of Public expenditure, hundreds of witnesses and thousands of pages of The Report, we are still divided on the question of what to do next.

Let me give one point of view  free of charge and in as few words as possible.

1 - People of who had their telephones hacked should rely on existing Laws to seek compensation - many have already obtained many thousands of pounds in compensation from The Press.

The problem with this is as follows -

If you are not very rich, you cannot afford to sue in the Courts the mighty Press.

So, the solution is for the CPS - The Criminal Prosecution Service to vet claims as normal and if there is sufficient evidence for a prosecution case THE STATE SHOULD FUND THE EXPENSES OF THE CLAIMANT.

This is a far better way of dealing with the Press than a legally binding new Authority to monitor the Press.

2 - Large Corporate Institutions should fund or part fund any prosecution case that they may have against the Press misuse of power. They should use exiting Laws as the basis of their claim - as has been normal practice for many years.

3 - There should be a new PRESS COMPLAINTS AGENCY which should include a balanced membership of Press and Public. It should not be backed by Statutory Powers and it too should rely on existing Legislation.

4 - A new Code of Practice should be drawn up - in conjunction with the new Press Complaints Agency.

Any failure to comply to the Code of Practice should be referred back to the new Press Complaints Agency who will liaise with the CPS to decide if there are legal grounds for a prosecution.

In urgent cases the CPS might apply for an immediate injunction against the offending Press / Media.

The costs of the injunction to be paid for out of Public Funds - except for the large Corporations.

5 - So - no gagging of the Press and Media. No new Legislation. No burden of legal costs for the average member of the Public. Public representation on the new Press Complaints Agency. No Politicians on the PCA.

6 - But, what about the Social Networks ? A difficult area but exiisting Laws must still apply. A new World Wide Agreement should be made to be able to sue offending sites so that outside the UK territories are not used to abuse UK Laws. Certainly, in the EU this should be easily possible.

There you have it. Cost of THE WILLIAMS REPORT - ZERO. 

Solution - Practical and easy to implement.

The ordinary member of the Public will gain. The Press / Media should like these solutions. The Politicians do not have to get involved with this key principle of PRESS FREEDOM which after all is OUR FREEDOM.