Leveson: Editors in crunch talks
Newspaper editors will hold crunch talks today after David Cameron warned that "the clock is ticking" to avoid regulation backed by law.
Latest ITV News reports
Recap: Leveson recommendations for press regulation
Some of the key recommendations of Lord Justice Leveson's report for the newspaper industry were as follows:
- A genuinely independent and effective system of self-regulation is needed.
- He proposed a self-regulatory body that can investigate complaints and fine newspapers up to a million pounds. He wants its Chair and other members of it to be independent.
- Lord Justice Leveson also proposed a "legislative underpinning" to ensure its effectiveness and independence.
- The report also calls for the broadcasting regulator Ofcom to "recognise and certify" that the new press regulator meets the requirements of the legislation.
Thousands sign Hacked Off petition for Leveson
Ahead of today's press summit at Downing Street, more than 136,000 people have signed a petition by the campaign group Hacked Off to call for the implementation of the inquiry's recommendations.
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Culture Secretary: 'The status quo is not an option'
On Monday, during a House of Commons debate on the publication of the Leveson report, the Culture Secretary, Maria Miller, told MPs "the status quo is not an option".
She warned that the Government is ready to use legislation to enforce effective regulation of the press if the industry fails to set up a robust and independent self-regulatory body as recommended by Lord Justice Leveson.
Mrs Miller said: "The Prime Minister is clear - we will see change. That change can either come with the support of the press or - if we are given no option - without it. Be in no doubt that if the industry doesn't respond, the Government will."
Editors to meet PM to discuss new press regulation system
Prime Minister David Cameron and the Culture Secretary Maria Miller will meet with national newspaper editors and proprietors today to discuss the findings of the Leveson Report.
The editors will also put forward their ideas for a new system of press regulation.
On Monday, the Culture Secretary said the Government is ready to use legislation to enforce effective regulation of the press if the industry fails to set up a genuinely tough and independent self-regulatory body along the lines set out in the Leveson report.
Labour: Leveson bill to be ready by Christmas
The Shadow Culture Secretary Harriet Harman has confirmed that a draft bill which would implement Leveson's recommendations will be ready by Christmas.
It's understood that this will allow Ed Miliband to force a vote in the Commons at the end of January if no cross-party agreement is reached. Labour and the Liberal Democrats are in favour of legislation which would underpin press regulation.
The Conservative Culture Secretary Maria Miller told the Commons that the government is also drafting its own separate legislation.
Government looking at ways to make it cheaper to take legal action against the press
The Culture Secretary Maria Miller has confirmed that the government might introduce legislation to reduce the cost of pursuing a defamation case against the press.
– Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and SportLeveson recommended there should be cost protection in defamation and privacy cases to ensure ordinary people are not put off from using the courts because they are afraid they cannot afford it. The Justice Secretary (Chris Grayling) has already asked the Civil Justice Council to look at this issue and the Government will implement the changes at the earliest possible opportunity.
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Harriet Harman: 'We must have change'
Labour's Harriet Harman has told the commons that Britain must have significant change after the Leveson Inquiry. She said that parliament needed to introduce statues to regulate the press because self regulation has not worked.
– Harriet Harman MP, Shadow Culture SecretaryEach time there has been a new incarnation of self regulation by the press everyone starts with the best of intentions. Every time because there is no over site standards have slipped and wrong doings return.
Parliament debates Leveson report
The Culture Secretary Maria Miller has told the commons that implementing the suggestions of the Leveson Report will have a profound effect upon British democracy.
Culture Secretary: 'There will be no vote'
When asked by the Conservative MP for Portsmouth North Penny Mordaunt if there would be a free vote on the issue of whether to implement the recommendations made in the Leveson Report, Maria Miller said she hoped it wouldn't be necessary.
– Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and SportI'm hoping there will be no votes on this because I think actually what we need to have is a consensus we need to move forward with something that we can all agree on. Remember the Leveson report isn't just about statuary underpinning which I think we can be forgiven for thinking it is by the debate thus far. To reduce it to that does a disservice to Leveson. There are other recommendations which I believe Mr Speaker we need to carefully consider.