Perspectives
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Perspectives — A look at 2010 through the eyes of the people who come into contact with the Press Complaints Commission THE DAILY NEWS SAMARITANSS AMARITANS The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) is an independent body which administers the system of self-regulation for the press. It does so primarily by dealing with complaints, framed within the terms of the Editors’ Code of Practice, about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites, including editorial audio-visual material) and the conduct of journalists. It can also assist individuals by representing their interests to editors in advance of an article about them being published. In this Perspectives booklet, we have sought to show the relevance of the PCC to all sorts of people across society, from ordinary members of the public to celebrities. Rather than write in our own words about what we do, we have chosen to hand that task over to those who know us best, and asked them to give their own views about us. We hope you will enjoy reading the range of opinions that appear here, which we hope will bring our work to life. In order to provide some context to the perspectives, we have included responses from the PCC throughout the document, which give information about our work in a particular area. Public representatives — p.6 PCC Chairman’s perspective Professional representatives — p.2 — p.12 Newspapers and magazines — p.16 Complainants — p.10 THE DAILY NEWS SAMARITANSS AMARITANS The Press Complaints Commission — p.22 Historical perspective — p.29 Constructive critics — p.24 International perspective — p.27 PCC Perspectives — 1 PCC Chairman’s perspective Baroness Buscombe 2010 itself contained clear evidence of the PCC looking to better itself for the future Peta Buscombe Chairman I’m delighted to give my perspective to those who feel vulnerable in the I hope these perspectives will give a alongside all of those who have face of press attention. fair refl ection of the work of the PCC contributed to this publication. It and how it is regarded. We will take is always a useful exercise to look I can assure you that the perspectives on board praise and criticism. We at yourself as others do, and at the are the genuine opinions of a always do. One of the great strengths PCC we take very seriously the range of contributors such as MPs, of the PCC is its willingness to constructive commentary of those lawyers, academics, PR consultants, adapt and evolve. As I enter my third we work with and for. complainants, charities and year as Chairman, I want to make newspaper and magazine industry special mention of the dedication I am particularly pleased that people fi gures. It shows the wide variety of and application of the PCC staff, and organisations who have actually different people we serve and the place who focus all their efforts upon used our public service, like the of the PCC in British society today. providing a valuable public service. Samaritans and Cumbria Police, have You will notice the bustling street I regularly meet many people who contributed to this year’s Review. scene on the cover of this document: have benefi ted from the PCC’s work They have direct experience of how the point of the PCC is that we seek and actions and I am moved by some the PCC can help, and the service to engage with everyone in the UK of the cases of vulnerable people that we can offer. It is striking – but to help hold editors to account for who can face harassment, intrusion no more than should be expected – their actions, and require that editors and discrimination through no fault how those who experience the PCC also hold themselves to account. of their own. often come away pleased with I would particularly urge you to how they have been treated. I hope read the historical perspective by One of my continuing frustrations is that Clare Balding speaks for other Professor Robert Pinker, which gives the diffi culty we have in convincing complainants, when she speaks of a fascinating context to where we some people that the PCC’s PCC staff being “extremely helpful” are now and shows how we got here. enforcement of the Editors’ Code of 2 — PCC Perspectives Practice works, particularly in the time to have a look if you can. As any way. Nor can we interfere with relation to privacy. It is a with this document, our aim is to ongoing legal actions, which are straightforward problem: success reveal all the wide-ranging work we based on information to which we must often be measured by the do, for which we perhaps are given are not currently privy. invisible. A lot of the effective work too scant credit by some. performed by the PCC is below the However, we can take steps that surface. It is refl ected in the articles That said, there is much more we can I believe are necessary and in the that do not appear, the journalists do, and there are diffi cult issues that public interest: we will draw together that do not turn up on someone’s the PCC must face with vigour. While the information that comes out of the doorstep and the stories that are not 2010 was a successful year – in my legal process, so that we have a clear pursued. Many people contact us to view – in terms of the decisions we picture of what has happened; we use our anti-harassment mechanism reached and the people we helped, will ask the News of the World, and whereby messages to editors to call it would be wrong to downplay the any other relevant newspaper, to give off their photographers and reporters challenges ahead. a full and public account of itself in are passed on. It has a near 100% light of that information; we will success rate. Amid all the talk of review how the PCC has previously super-injunctions and the peril they addressed this entire issue, accept pose to free expression, we should I hope we what we could have done better and remember that the PCC operates a ensure our own game is raised; and pre-publication service that can work can increase – most importantly – proactively work with editors to prevent intrusion across the whole industry to ensure before it happens. We are more active understanding that systems are in place to assure than judges in defending people’s improved future practice. privacy, and do so while balancing of the PCC the protection of the individual with It was with these tasks in mind the right of free speech. to match the that the PCC set up a Phone Hacking Review Committee at the beginning We are heartened by regular feedback impressive level of 2011. It comprises two recently that shows that the work we do is appointed lay Commissioners, both valuable and valued. We know from of awareness of whom are experts in relevant legal recent polling that there is large fi elds: Ian Walden (Professor of awareness among the public (81%) Information and Communications of the PCC and that of those who First, phone hacking. This is a subject Law, Queen Mary, University of have an opinion the vast majority which remains a major concern for me London) and Julie Spence (former (75%) regard the PCC as effective or and the Commission, in terms of what Chief Constable, Cambridgeshire very effective. I hope we can increase it says about journalistic ethics in this Police). It also has one editorial understanding of the PCC to match country. I condemn unequivocally Commissioner in John McLellan, the the impressive level of awareness and what took place at the News of the editor of The Scotsman. It will make I hope the PCC’s recent advertising World. It is right that the PCC must recommendations to the Commission, campaign will enable more people play a part in ensuring that the which will be published. to use and benefi t from our service. practice of illegal and intrusive interception of phone messages The second challenge is perhaps In that broad context, let me take the is, and remains, stamped out. primarily for the industry itself. It is chance to draw your attention to the to ensure that the PCC remains remainder of our Annual Review for Of course, it is also right that the supported across the board in the 2010, which is online (www.pcc.org. police – who have reopened their coming year. The PCC requires and uk/review10). In it, you will see more investigation – take the lead in relies upon (and receives) co-operation of the key statistics for the year, the determining the further extent from publishers and editors in the important rulings that we made and of any criminality. The PCC must work it does. That must continue. It a calendar of PCC activity. Please take not prejudice that investigation in is regrettable that there is currently PCC Perspectives — 3 PCC Chairman’s perspective continued a funding dispute between Northern practice in the use of material taken We are & Shell and PressBof (which is the from social networking sites. We funding body for the PCC). I call upon train journalists and editors, so that heartened both sides to resolve this as soon as they navigate the diffi cult question possible. The system of self-regulation of what privacy actually means in a by regular in this country is too important to digital age. I believe we can also play be affected by quibbles over money.