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Blogs likely to be excluded from press reforms by House of Lords Blogs likely to be excluded from press reforms by House of Lords
(6 months later)
Fears that bloggers and small-scale news websites will be dragged into the new proposed system of press regulation, so facing crippling costs, appeared to be lifting on Friday when Labour and the Liberal Democrats agreed to table last-minute amendments in the Lords to make it clear they will be excluded.Fears that bloggers and small-scale news websites will be dragged into the new proposed system of press regulation, so facing crippling costs, appeared to be lifting on Friday when Labour and the Liberal Democrats agreed to table last-minute amendments in the Lords to make it clear they will be excluded.
The fear that bloggers and small-scale enterprises would be drawn into the Leveson net of regulation has provoked outrage.The fear that bloggers and small-scale enterprises would be drawn into the Leveson net of regulation has provoked outrage.
A diverse group of bloggers including ConservativeHome's Tim Montgomerie, LabourList's Mark Ferguson, Guido Fawkes's Paul Staines, Lib Dem Voice's Stephen Tall and Political Scrapbook's Laurence Durnan, in a letter to the Guardian, warn of the unforeseen consequences of the law.A diverse group of bloggers including ConservativeHome's Tim Montgomerie, LabourList's Mark Ferguson, Guido Fawkes's Paul Staines, Lib Dem Voice's Stephen Tall and Political Scrapbook's Laurence Durnan, in a letter to the Guardian, warn of the unforeseen consequences of the law.
They write: "Even the smallest of websites will be threatened with the stick of punitive 'exemplary damages' if they fall foul of a broad range of torts encompassing everything from libel to 'breach of confidence'."They write: "Even the smallest of websites will be threatened with the stick of punitive 'exemplary damages' if they fall foul of a broad range of torts encompassing everything from libel to 'breach of confidence'."
"The authors of these proposals should reflect on their remarkable achievement of uniting both Tom Watson and Rupert Murdoch in opposition." They add this appears to be the outcome of a botched late-night drafting process and complete lack of consultation with bloggers, online journalists and social media users, who may now be caught in regulations which trample on grassroots democratic activity and Britain's emerging digital economy."The authors of these proposals should reflect on their remarkable achievement of uniting both Tom Watson and Rupert Murdoch in opposition." They add this appears to be the outcome of a botched late-night drafting process and complete lack of consultation with bloggers, online journalists and social media users, who may now be caught in regulations which trample on grassroots democratic activity and Britain's emerging digital economy.
But Labour and Lib Dem sources said they would be tabling manuscript amendments to the crime and courts bill in the Lords to remove the threat.But Labour and Lib Dem sources said they would be tabling manuscript amendments to the crime and courts bill in the Lords to remove the threat.
Two separate proposals have been suggested, either removing small businesses from the ambit of the proposed legislation or making it clear that not for profit groups would be excluded.Two separate proposals have been suggested, either removing small businesses from the ambit of the proposed legislation or making it clear that not for profit groups would be excluded.
It is thought both proposals in the eyes of civil servants have technical deficiencies, or will prevent opportunities for big media to circumvent the exemplary damages legislation. Instead civil servants are working on proposals based on either size or turn-over.It is thought both proposals in the eyes of civil servants have technical deficiencies, or will prevent opportunities for big media to circumvent the exemplary damages legislation. Instead civil servants are working on proposals based on either size or turn-over.
It is understood cross party agreement has been delayed due to a reluctance from the Conservative ministers to become involved. The Conservative handling of the issue over the past fortnight has left many observers perplexed. Discussions are also being held on whether there is any virtue in the three party leaders meeting the newspaper groups next week to persuade them of the need to co-operate with the proposed new system of self-regulation.It is understood cross party agreement has been delayed due to a reluctance from the Conservative ministers to become involved. The Conservative handling of the issue over the past fortnight has left many observers perplexed. Discussions are also being held on whether there is any virtue in the three party leaders meeting the newspaper groups next week to persuade them of the need to co-operate with the proposed new system of self-regulation.
Lord Black, the executive director of the Telegraph Media Group, is hoping to persuade peers on Monday that it would be "wrong in principle" to create a system allowing courts to award exemplary damages against newspapers who remain outside the approved regulator.Lord Black, the executive director of the Telegraph Media Group, is hoping to persuade peers on Monday that it would be "wrong in principle" to create a system allowing courts to award exemplary damages against newspapers who remain outside the approved regulator.
Black, who is a Tory peer and former director of the press complaints commission, was one of the most influential players behind the scenes in the newspaper negotiations with the government in the run up to Monday's deal.Black, who is a Tory peer and former director of the press complaints commission, was one of the most influential players behind the scenes in the newspaper negotiations with the government in the run up to Monday's deal.
Newspapers have been split over the Leveson deal but Black's bid to get amendments on exemplary damages removed will have the unanimous support of national newspapers – which have received legal advice from top barristers saying that the creation of a special class of punishment for one type of defendant would be contrary to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.Newspapers have been split over the Leveson deal but Black's bid to get amendments on exemplary damages removed will have the unanimous support of national newspapers – which have received legal advice from top barristers saying that the creation of a special class of punishment for one type of defendant would be contrary to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The House of the Lords will debate the Leveson amendments which have been tacked on to the crime and courts bill in a bid to get royal assent before the end of this parliamentary session.The House of the Lords will debate the Leveson amendments which have been tacked on to the crime and courts bill in a bid to get royal assent before the end of this parliamentary session.
There is not expected to be a vote on the matter and sources say Black will not be moving any amendments, "but others may".There is not expected to be a vote on the matter and sources say Black will not be moving any amendments, "but others may".
A steering group of national newspapers, headed by the legal director of Trinity Mirror Group Paul Vickers, meets on Wednesday but the attitude of the big three groups appears to be hardening. One senior executive from one newspaper said it would be "a badge of honour" to be part of the breakaway group that gave "two fingers to Cameron".A steering group of national newspapers, headed by the legal director of Trinity Mirror Group Paul Vickers, meets on Wednesday but the attitude of the big three groups appears to be hardening. One senior executive from one newspaper said it would be "a badge of honour" to be part of the breakaway group that gave "two fingers to Cameron".
The political fallout from the Leveson deal sealed on Monday continueswith former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown claiming David Cameron made a colossal "strategic blunder" in pulling out of talks on the creation of a new regulator for the press.The political fallout from the Leveson deal sealed on Monday continueswith former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown claiming David Cameron made a colossal "strategic blunder" in pulling out of talks on the creation of a new regulator for the press.
Lord Ashdown said the Prime Minister had simultaneously damaged his standing with his own MPs, angered his supporters in the newspapers, and strained relations with his Lib Dem coalition partners.Lord Ashdown said the Prime Minister had simultaneously damaged his standing with his own MPs, angered his supporters in the newspapers, and strained relations with his Lib Dem coalition partners.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's The Week In Westminster, he said Mr Cameron managed to achieve the "Tory nightmare" of forcing Nick Clegg to line up with Labour.In an interview with BBC Radio 4's The Week In Westminster, he said Mr Cameron managed to achieve the "Tory nightmare" of forcing Nick Clegg to line up with Labour.
"I have not seen an avoidable strategic blunder made by a British prime minister or indeed the leader of a British political party which matches that of Mr Cameron over Leveson," he said ."I have not seen an avoidable strategic blunder made by a British prime minister or indeed the leader of a British political party which matches that of Mr Cameron over Leveson," he said .
"He marched his troops up to the top of the hill and then he had to march them back down again."He marched his troops up to the top of the hill and then he had to march them back down again.
"In terms of strategy, this seems to me to make the Grand Old Duke of York look like a military genius.""In terms of strategy, this seems to me to make the Grand Old Duke of York look like a military genius."
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