This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/feb/12/david-cameron-hacked-off-press

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
David Cameron and Hacked Off clash David Cameron and Hacked Off clash
(7 months later)
David Cameron on Monday clashed with the Hacked Off campaign at a private meeting in Downing Street when he set out plans – to be published on Tuesday morning – for a Royal Charter to oversee the independent self-regulation of the press without the support of any statute.David Cameron on Monday clashed with the Hacked Off campaign at a private meeting in Downing Street when he set out plans – to be published on Tuesday morning – for a Royal Charter to oversee the independent self-regulation of the press without the support of any statute.
He claimed he was proposing the toughest form of media regulation in the western world, but Evan Harris, associate director of Hacked Off, which is campaigning for tighter regulation of the press, said: "This is one of the weakest forms of self-regulation anywhere to oversee one of the presses capable of the worst excesses. This is weaker than the [existing] Press Complaints Commission."He claimed he was proposing the toughest form of media regulation in the western world, but Evan Harris, associate director of Hacked Off, which is campaigning for tighter regulation of the press, said: "This is one of the weakest forms of self-regulation anywhere to oversee one of the presses capable of the worst excesses. This is weaker than the [existing] Press Complaints Commission."
Harris said it represented a step back from what the government had proposed in January, and the absence of statute would mean the system of self-regulation could be torn down on the whim of a minister, as opposed to a decision of parliament.Harris said it represented a step back from what the government had proposed in January, and the absence of statute would mean the system of self-regulation could be torn down on the whim of a minister, as opposed to a decision of parliament.
Cameron personally briefed members of the Hacked Off campaign representing victims of media intrusion. He had earlier met with the editor of the Daily Mail, Paul Dacre, a strong opponent of state regulation of the media.Cameron personally briefed members of the Hacked Off campaign representing victims of media intrusion. He had earlier met with the editor of the Daily Mail, Paul Dacre, a strong opponent of state regulation of the media.
Harris said: "In giving evidence to the Leveson inquiry, Cameron set himself a test of meeting the wishes of the victims. These proposals do not meet that test."Harris said: "In giving evidence to the Leveson inquiry, Cameron set himself a test of meeting the wishes of the victims. These proposals do not meet that test."
The culture secretary, Maria Miller, will, on behalf of the Conservative party, publish its plans on Tuesday setting up a verification body overseen by Royal Charter responsible for ensuring that a self-regulatory body enforces a code that addresses as many as 30 of the principles set out by Lord Justice Leveson in his landmark report. She argues that a statute setting up a form of press regulation can as easily be dismantled as Royal Charter.The culture secretary, Maria Miller, will, on behalf of the Conservative party, publish its plans on Tuesday setting up a verification body overseen by Royal Charter responsible for ensuring that a self-regulatory body enforces a code that addresses as many as 30 of the principles set out by Lord Justice Leveson in his landmark report. She argues that a statute setting up a form of press regulation can as easily be dismantled as Royal Charter.
The proposals will be discussed at another round of all-party talks on Thursday, but it was suggested by Labour the proposals fell short on a series of the Leveson principles, including access to cheap arbitration. Cameron has always insisted he will not allow statute to interfere with press freedom, but the idea was included in earlier drafts of the Royal Charter. Conservative sources were convinced that Labour and Liberal Democrats would support the Royal Charter partly because they realised this was the only way to secure all-party agreement, a pre-requisite for progress.The proposals will be discussed at another round of all-party talks on Thursday, but it was suggested by Labour the proposals fell short on a series of the Leveson principles, including access to cheap arbitration. Cameron has always insisted he will not allow statute to interfere with press freedom, but the idea was included in earlier drafts of the Royal Charter. Conservative sources were convinced that Labour and Liberal Democrats would support the Royal Charter partly because they realised this was the only way to secure all-party agreement, a pre-requisite for progress.
A Liberal Democrat source said: "Our preferred option is a system of independent [regulation] backed up by statute. But we also believe the best way forward would be on a cross-party basis. It is good the proposals for a Royal Charter are now being published, but the onus is on those who oppose statute to demonstrate how it meets all the requirements set out by Leveson. We are not yet convinced they meet that test but welcome the Royal Charter's publication as a starting point for public debate."A Liberal Democrat source said: "Our preferred option is a system of independent [regulation] backed up by statute. But we also believe the best way forward would be on a cross-party basis. It is good the proposals for a Royal Charter are now being published, but the onus is on those who oppose statute to demonstrate how it meets all the requirements set out by Leveson. We are not yet convinced they meet that test but welcome the Royal Charter's publication as a starting point for public debate."
Liberal Democrat sources said the absence of statute to make the Royal Charter proposals permanent was a serious problem.Liberal Democrat sources said the absence of statute to make the Royal Charter proposals permanent was a serious problem.
The Labour party said they would respond in detail on Tuesday afternoon, but said they remained unconvinved the proposals would work, and sounded more hostile than in recent days. A spokesman said: "We will respond in a serious and considered way once they have published the proposals. We have made clear they must be Leveson compliant."The Labour party said they would respond in detail on Tuesday afternoon, but said they remained unconvinved the proposals would work, and sounded more hostile than in recent days. A spokesman said: "We will respond in a serious and considered way once they have published the proposals. We have made clear they must be Leveson compliant."
At some point Labour will have to see if it can reach a common position with the Liberal Democrats, but the chances of introducing a form of press regulation without the support of the main governing party will be hard.At some point Labour will have to see if it can reach a common position with the Liberal Democrats, but the chances of introducing a form of press regulation without the support of the main governing party will be hard.
Hacked Off had said it would look at a Royal Charter so long as it was backed by statute.Hacked Off had said it would look at a Royal Charter so long as it was backed by statute.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.