The Leveson inquiry was a public, judge-led (Lord Justice Leveson) inquiry set up by David Cameron to examine the culture, practice and ethics of the press.

1. Rachel Fairhead, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
The Leveson
Report
The Leveson inquiry was a public, The cost of the inquiry was not insignificant, and the final totals are
unclear. However up to 30 June 2012, the last set of published costs,
judge-led (Lord Justice Leveson) inquiry the inquiry had cost £3.9m, but an inquiry spokesman estimated that
set up by David Cameron to examine the overall cost of the inquiry to date could reach £5.6m.
the culture, practice and ethics of the
press. It was established after the mess The main aim of the inquiry was to examine the relationship between
the press and the public, as well as the relationship between the
of the phone-hacking scandal (although press and the police; the press and politicians. A major part of the
some evidence was not heard, to avoid inquiry was to look at activities such as phone-hacking as well as
effecting current criminal investigations) other illegal activities.
at the News of the World. The Leveson Lord Justice Leveson has a proven legal track record having become a
Inquiry lasted twelve months, heard barrister in 1970 and a QC in 1986. He was made a high court judge
from 378 people (speaking for 120 in 2000 and was appointed to the court of appeal in 2006. He has
also been involved in a number of high profile cases. These have
different organisations) These witnesses included leading the prosecution against Rose West, and being the
included alleged victims, journalists, Judge during the Damilola Taylor case. His position as chairman of
police, politicians, newspaper owners; the Sentencing Council, means he is responsible for sentencing policy
communication advisors and newspaper in England and Wales. All of this adds to both his intellectual and
executives. The witnesses had to give legal pedigree.
their evidence under oath at the Royal Lord Justice Leveson made some broad recommendations on the
Courts of Justice in London, and if future of press regulation.
needed they could be legally made to
attend.

2. Rachel Fairhead, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
The Leveson
Report
(continued)
Key Points report is nothing more than a large slap on the wrist. But this is a
• New self-regulation body recommended price Cameron is prepared to pay, because it is not the victims of
• Independent of serving editors, government and business crime who will get him re-elected." - Steve Coogan
• No widespread corruption of police by the press found
• Politicians and press have been too close This feeling of disappointment was echoed by other high profile
• Press behaviour, at times, has been 'outrageous' victims and media personalities such as Charlotte Church; J K Rowling;
Max Mosley.
Source:BBC News
Gerry McCann the father of missing girl Madelaine McCann, again
The first point about the self –regulation body really doesn’t come as was very vocal in his disappointment.
surprise there was already a general acceptance that the PCC (Press
Complaints Commission) was doomed. The Head of the PCC, Lord "I would have like to have seen a properly independent regulation
Hunt himself, says that a tougher regulator was needed. However of the press whereas I think he's given the press another opportunity
there is even disagreement here. The Free speech Network believes of self-regulation. I've also got concerns that the system is not
that there should not be any state regulation. Whereas the Hacked compulsory and I would have liked to have seen a mechanism put in
Off campaign believes that the Leveson tougher approach is the right place for that. .....Thirdly, I would have liked to have seen more focus
one because voluntary self-regulation has not worked. on individual accountability. I don't really accept the point that having
a regulated industry doesn't mean that they're free to write what
Now that Leveson has reported and the recommendations have been they want, and Lord Leveson is very clear on that." - Gerry McCann
made there is a clear problem about what happens next. The Prime
Minister had said that as long as the recommendations were not The Debate regulating press standards is not one that is going to be
crazy he would support them. However it appears that he has gone easily solved or dealt with. The newspapers initial reaction to the
back on his word. He has stated that he doesn’t believe that statutory report was unified, but there are already signs that this is not going
regulation is needed to underpin self regulation. The belief being that to last. What will be interesting is what format any new measure will
it is too difficult to legislate in this kind of area. take, and whether or not the newspapers take on the challenge of
taking a much tougher regulatory stance.
There is a clear split here with his coalition colleague Nick Clegg, who
believes that Leveson should be accepted completely, a view echoed
by Labour. Despite this David Cameron has said though that there
does have to be a much tougher/ punitive approach.
“That means million-pound fines, proper investigation of complaints,
prominent apologies," – David Cameron.
The culture secretary echoed the sentiment that the press themselves
should face the challenge of how they are going to toughen up their
self-regulation.
"In drafting this piece of legislation what we are going to be
demonstrating is that it wouldn't be a simple two-clause bill............
the gauntlet has been thrown down to newspapers to outline how
they would set up tough self-regulation instead.” - Maria Miller
(Culture Secretary)
However this has not gone down well with victims of alleged victim
of press abuses. Steve Coogan, the actor, and victim, who gave evi-
dence at the inquiry was very clear in his view that without statutory Questions
regulation underpinning, the Leveson recommendations would www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/
achieve very little.
Use the website to analyse the main points of the Leveson
"By rejecting Leveson's call for statutory regulation, Cameron has report.
hung the victims of crime out to dry. He has passed on the opportunity
Assess the arguments for and against statutory
to make history. He has revealed there isn't an ounce of substance in
his body, that he has one eye on courting the press for elections in
regulation of the press.
years to come, and doesn't know the meaning of conviction........... Assess the impact that recent public inquires have had
Quite simply, if future regulation is not backed by statute, Leveson's on British Politics.