Post date: Nov 29, 2012 4:46:29 PM
Prime Minister David Cameron says he welcomes Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations for a new independent self-regulatory body for the British media, but warns he is not in favour of new legislation to regulate the press.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM(NOVEMBER 29, 2012) (UK PARLIAMENT) - British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday (November 29) that he had serious concerns about legislation to regulate the media, risking a split in his coalition after a damning inquiry triggered by a phone-hacking scandal proposed a press watchdog backed in law.
Opposing a legal foundation to an independent press regulator will delight the British media ahead of the 2015 election but will deepen a divide in Cameron's coalition government and within his own party."I have some serious concerns and misgivings on this recommendation," Cameron told parliament, watched from the chamber's gallery by victims of tabloid newspaper phone-hacking who have campaigned for tougher rules governing Britain's recalcitrant media.
"For the first time we would have crossed the rubicon of writing elements of press regulation into the law of the land. We should, I believe, be wary of any legislation that has the potential to infringe free speech and a free press," he added.
"In this house which has been a bulwark of democracy for centuries, we should think very carefully before crossing this line. On the grounds of practicality, no matter how simple the intention of the new law, the legislation required to underpin the regulatory body would, I believe, become more complicated."
Speaking about Lord Justice Leveson's year-long investigation into the British media, Cameron said:
"I am not convinced at this stage that statute is necessary to achieve Lord Justice Leveson's objectives. I believe there may be alternative options for putting in place incentives, providing reassurance to the public, and ensuring the Leveson principles of regulation are put in place."
Cameron called for cross party talks on the issue of press regulation and said a system had to be set up with immediacy.
"A regulatory system that complies with the Leveson principles should be put in place rapidly. I favour giving the press a limited period of time in which to do this. They do not need to wait for all the other elements of Lord Justice Leveson's report to be implemented."
The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Ed Miliband, said he supported a proposal by Leveson to back a new independent press watchdog with legislation.
Leveson said he had no intention of ending three centuries of press freedom but condemned sometimes "outrageous" behaviour by the press that had "wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people".
Leveson's inquiry was ordered by Cameron after public outrage at revelations that reporters at one of Rupert Murdoch's tabloids hacked the phone messages of a 13-year-old murder victim, Milly Dowler.
Leveson said there should be a new independent self-regulatory body, which would be recognised in law, something the press and many within Cameron's own party, including senior ministers, have adamantly opposed as an erosion of press freedom.
Cameron, three former prime ministers, senior ministers, press barons including the 81-year-old Murdoch, plus an array of celebrities such as Hollywood actorHugh Grant were among the 164 witnesses to appear before the inquiry.