PRESS AND FILM REGULATION

'Lord Justice Leveson has cast his judgement on the British press. For many leading institutions, the verdict is damning. Are the problems caused by human mistakes, or something deeper?'

• This inquiry by Lord Justice Leveson was set up after the millie dowler case, in which tabloid newspapers had hacked into her phone. He explained that these newspaper company's did not take long to expose. He also explained that much of the press was guilty of libel during the Madeline McCann case. This was through tactics such as court surveillance Blagging. 
• He explained that the Metropolitan police did not investigate far enough into the hacking scandal due to a close relationship between top police manager John Yates and a News International executive that created the impression that law enforcement and the press were ‘too close’. Not due to corruption.
• However, Leveson does see the imporantc of the press as he explained, ‘I know how vital the press is,’ when he released the publication of his report ‘The press operating freely and in the public interest is one of the true safeguards of our democracy’.
• He explained that he believes that much of the press' problems are due to foolish mistakes, selfish behaviour and short-sighted misjudgement. - Know what the leveson enquiry recommended (recommended IPSO)

‘Zayn pain’ as singer takes new direction 

https://theday.co.uk/stories/zayn-pain-as-singer-takes-new-direction

22 year old Zayne malik left one direction in 2015 due to public media screwtany. As he wanted to lead a 'normal life'. Malik also made the comment  ‘I don’t want to live a life where everything I do is put on the internet and dissected.’

The Malik case gives an insight into the pressure of being famous, particularly at such a young age. It can help us understand the complex relationship between the media and celebrity. One Direction and Zayn Malik have extraordinary influence, so Malik’s actions may lead to people reassessing their view of paparazzi culture.

Max Clifford said, 'If you use the media, you can’t complain too much when the media uses you.’.

However, at the end of the day, Malik is a 22-year-old who has been thrust into the limelight on the back of hard work and talent. Doesn’t he deserve to have his private life kept out of the public eye?

Six years in prison for sharing fake news

 https://theday.co.uk/stories/six-years-in-prison-for-sharing-fake-news

Right now in Britain, anyone convicted of assault could be sent to prison for a maximum of five years. Meanwhile, in Malaysia you could be locked up for even longer just for sending a tweet.
criminalising fake news stifle free speech.In an attempt to try and make people less motivated to publish fake news. Perhaps a better way is to educate the public on what is fake news and what isn't.

https://theday.co.uk/stories/phone-hacking-trial-reaches-dramatic-climax

Phone Hacking Trial Reaches Dramatic climax

Story behind the phone-hacking conspiracy - BBC News Video

It all began in 2005 when royals and celebrities accused theNews of the World of hacking into their private voicemails in order to obtain salacious stories. But the paper claimed that just a few ‘rotten apples’ were responsible.

Brooks walked free from the Old Bailey after being found not guilty of four charges, including plotting to hack phones. Coulson was found guilty of conspiring to hack phones while at the now defunct newspaper. 

The crisis reignited when allegations emerged that staff at the newspaper had hacked into the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. It sparked a wave of public revulsion that forced Brooks and Coulson to resign.

The verdict on Coulson has also damaged the prime minister David Cameron, who hired the tabloid editor to lead the Tory party’s media operations in 2007. Cameron has been obliged to apologise.

Some believe the outcome of one of the most expensive criminal prosecutions and lengthy police inquiries in history has drawn a line under the phone-hacking scandal. Six journallists out of the eight charged have pleaded guilty or been found guilty of phone-hacking. Two were sent to prison.

Why should I care about the trial’s outcome?

The scandal has thrown up all sorts of issues that are important to our everyday lives. Public opinion is influenced by what is read in the papers, so those in charge have a duty to be fair and impartial. There have been calls to regulate the press, but opponents warn this could lead to censorship and give politicians too much power over what papers publish.

Why would anyone hack a phone?

Quite simply for a ‘good’ story. In its heyday, the News of the World was Britain’s biggest selling paper with a readership of nearly seven and a half million. Formidable pressure was put on journalists to do whatever it took to find a good scoop, even if that meant breaking the law and destroying people’s lives.