For the first time, a working draft of a bill by officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, produced to illustrate the full legislation needed to implement Leveson's reforms, is being placed in the public domain. The content of the DCMS bill is very similar to that of the Leveson bill drafted by Hacked Off and to the Labour bill, putting to rest the myth that legislation in this area is too complicated or overly prone to amendment, says Hacked Off.
The consultation is sponsored by victims of press abuse, including Gerry and Kate McCann, Christopher Jefferies and Jacqui Hames. It includes a short option of a ten-question survey or a longer, more detailed analysis.
Hacked Off says its aim is to use this consultation to develop the best possible Bill to implement the Leveson recommendations on press regulation, giving Parliament a ready-made means of putting into action the results of a long and thorough public inquiry. All of the details can be found here.
Professor Brian Cathcart (pictured), Director of Hacked Off said: “This consultation shows that the legislation required to implement Leveson is simple and poses no threat to free speech.
“It asks the public, whether they be ordinary citizens or experts in the field, which they consider is the best approach between the bills. It also invites suggestions on how the bills could be improved.
"It's worth remembering that not one of these bills would deliver anything remotely like statutory regulation of the press. Instead they would set up a body that is independent of both press and government to administer periodic ‘MoT’ tests to a new press self- regulator, to ensure it meets basic standards and gives proper protection to the public.
“Leveson intended Parliament to respond to his recommendations in an open, above-board manner, so that the public could have the greatest possible confidence in the outcome. In that same spirit, we invite comment on the different drafts of the Leveson legislation which we are releasing today and will publish the results after the consultation has closed.
“We want to see the Leveson recommendations on press regulation implemented faithfully, in the manner he put forward. His proposals are sensible and cautious and should be adopted without delay.”
A summary and analysis of the responses to the consultation will be published soon after the closing date of 15th February 2013.
The Leveson Bill was prepared by Hacked Off in consultation with victims of press abuses and drafted in consultation with Daniel Greenberg, Legislation Counsel.
The consultation, with all four draft bills listed as appendices, can be found here.
About Hacked Off
Hacked Off says: “Hacked Off is a not-for-profit company, founded by Brian Cathcart, Professor of Journalism at Kingston University and Martin Moore, Director of the Media Standards Trust. Among its high profile supporters are the actor, Hugh Grant, the comedian Steve Coogan and the singer Charlotte Church, though the vast majority of Hacked Off supporters are not well known: ordinary men and women who became victims of press harassment and intrusion through no fault of their own, alongside concerned members of the general public, nearly 150,000 of whom have signed the online petition calling for the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry in relation to press regulation to be implemented in full.
The Board of Directors comprises Hugh Tomlinson QC of Matrix Chambers (chair); Prof. Steve Barnett of the University of Westminster; Prof. Natalie Fenton of Goldsmiths, University of London; Hugh Grant; Charlotte Harris, Partner, Mishcon de Reya; and Will Moy, Director, Full Fact. Prof. Cathcart is executive director and Dr Evan Harris is associate director.”
