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| Press regulation: Murdoch attacks Cameron and hits out at 'holy mess' | Press regulation: Murdoch attacks Cameron and hits out at 'holy mess' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Rupert Murdoch has criticised the "holy mess" of press regulation in the UK, saying that David Cameron has shown his "true colours shocking many supporters" with his plans for a new watchdog backed by statute. | Rupert Murdoch has criticised the "holy mess" of press regulation in the UK, saying that David Cameron has shown his "true colours shocking many supporters" with his plans for a new watchdog backed by statute. |
| His remarks on Twitter on Thursday came as the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal hit out against the controversial plans for a new UK press regulator backed by royal charter, which threatens punitive damages in civil cases for newspapers who do not sign up to the new watchdog. | His remarks on Twitter on Thursday came as the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal hit out against the controversial plans for a new UK press regulator backed by royal charter, which threatens punitive damages in civil cases for newspapers who do not sign up to the new watchdog. |
| The WSJ drew comparisons between the UK and America where free speech is protected under the First Amendment and gives protection to British websites like Guido Fawkes, whose servers are in California for this reason. | The WSJ drew comparisons between the UK and America where free speech is protected under the First Amendment and gives protection to British websites like Guido Fawkes, whose servers are in California for this reason. |
| In a leader comment on Thursday the Journal said the "real story" is that the deal – which was agreed by all main parties with the backing of pressure group Hacked Off in the small hours of Monday morning – "is designed to put the media under the greater sway of politicians". | In a leader comment on Thursday the Journal said the "real story" is that the deal – which was agreed by all main parties with the backing of pressure group Hacked Off in the small hours of Monday morning – "is designed to put the media under the greater sway of politicians". |
| The Sun also went on the attack on Thursday with its splash on the budget, which it said had been brought to readers by "the ministry for truth". | |
| Murdoch, in his native Australia on Thursday, watched with interest the collapse of government plans to introduce tough new measures on the media. | Murdoch, in his native Australia on Thursday, watched with interest the collapse of government plans to introduce tough new measures on the media. |
| "Oz media censorship beaten back. UK holy mess with internet unworkably included. Cameron showing true colors shocking many supporters ," Murdoch tweeted. | "Oz media censorship beaten back. UK holy mess with internet unworkably included. Cameron showing true colors shocking many supporters ," Murdoch tweeted. |
| At the same time the Wall Street Journal was attacking the UK reforms, saying it threatened more than 300 years of free speech. "Whatever the execesses of the media, this won't serve British democracy or public scrutiny of government. Thank heaven America escaped the control of British Royal Charters and wrote the First Amendment," the WSJ said in its leader. | At the same time the Wall Street Journal was attacking the UK reforms, saying it threatened more than 300 years of free speech. "Whatever the execesses of the media, this won't serve British democracy or public scrutiny of government. Thank heaven America escaped the control of British Royal Charters and wrote the First Amendment," the WSJ said in its leader. |
| The leader comes just two days after Murdoch hinted on Twitter that the deal, hammered out after five-and-a-half hours of talks on Sunday night and Monday morning, could fall apart. | The leader comes just two days after Murdoch hinted on Twitter that the deal, hammered out after five-and-a-half hours of talks on Sunday night and Monday morning, could fall apart. |
| Under the agreement, the royal charter must be granted by the Privy Council which meets on 8 May and then sealed by the Queen. Conventionally royal charters are not submitted to the crown for approval unless they have all-party agreement. | Under the agreement, the royal charter must be granted by the Privy Council which meets on 8 May and then sealed by the Queen. Conventionally royal charters are not submitted to the crown for approval unless they have all-party agreement. |
| In what was either a bit of mischief-making or a hint that he had inside knowledge through some political back channel, Murdoch tweeted: "UK Royal Charter requires Queen's signature. Unlikely without full all party support. Queen doesn't do politics." | In what was either a bit of mischief-making or a hint that he had inside knowledge through some political back channel, Murdoch tweeted: "UK Royal Charter requires Queen's signature. Unlikely without full all party support. Queen doesn't do politics." |
| Murdoch's News International, Associated Newspapers and the Telegraph Media Group are threatening to refuse to sign up to the new regulator and are taking legal advice on the possibility of setting up a breakaway watchdog. | Murdoch's News International, Associated Newspapers and the Telegraph Media Group are threatening to refuse to sign up to the new regulator and are taking legal advice on the possibility of setting up a breakaway watchdog. |
| Local newspapers and magazines are also taking legal advice on their options. The magazine industry, which is responsible for 7,000 titles, is concerned about culture secretary Maria Miller's remarks about which magazines could be exempt from the regulator. | Local newspapers and magazines are also taking legal advice on their options. The magazine industry, which is responsible for 7,000 titles, is concerned about culture secretary Maria Miller's remarks about which magazines could be exempt from the regulator. |
| Magazines are concerned that if they don't join the regulator they could face punitive damages if taken to court and that they would be hit with bills of thousands of pounds to deal with any complaint that was brought to a new arbitration unit, part of the new regulatory regime. | Magazines are concerned that if they don't join the regulator they could face punitive damages if taken to court and that they would be hit with bills of thousands of pounds to deal with any complaint that was brought to a new arbitration unit, part of the new regulatory regime. |
| Under a schedule accompanying the crime and courts bill, certain magazines will be exempt and will not have to join the new regulator, including hobby magazines, such as Angling Times and Decanter, and scientific journals and community or student publications. | Under a schedule accompanying the crime and courts bill, certain magazines will be exempt and will not have to join the new regulator, including hobby magazines, such as Angling Times and Decanter, and scientific journals and community or student publications. |
| However a publication, including a website or blogged authored by several people and with an editorial structure, will be included if itgenerates news. | However a publication, including a website or blogged authored by several people and with an editorial structure, will be included if itgenerates news. |
| Mark Burr, the head of public affairs at the Professional Publishers Association, has said it is seeking further clarification about who is or isn't exempt. | Mark Burr, the head of public affairs at the Professional Publishers Association, has said it is seeking further clarification about who is or isn't exempt. |
| "There may have to be some legal decision taken about what is news, what is not news and what is current affairs," he said. | "There may have to be some legal decision taken about what is news, what is not news and what is current affairs," he said. |
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