David Lee, University of Leeds What was the ultimate purpose of the Leveson Enquiry? To satisfy a public aghast following revelations about the hacking of Millie Dowler’s mobile phone alongside the more general widespread illegal practices of the red-tops? To sate the desire for revenge by politicians after years of obeisance to the Murdoch press?  Or …Continue Reading

Tim Gopsill, Free Press At one of the innumerable gatherings in London on this Leveson business I met a journalist friend I hold in some respect. “Which way do you swing on this?” I asked. “Against you, I am afraid,” she replied. (Clue: I was handing out copies of Free Press, the Campaign for Press Freedom …Continue Reading

Justin Schlosberg, Birkbeck, University of London As we reflect on the post-Leveson political furore, it is worth recalling Stuart Hall’s maxim that it is the way in which public problems are defined – rather than their proposed solutions – which exemplifies the exercise of real power in advanced capitalist democracies.  The overwhelming spotlight shone by …Continue Reading

Stuart Allan, Bournemouth University Science journalism is often fraught with tensions, particularly where issues concerning possible risks, threats or hazards come to the fore. ‘Cancer danger of that night-time trip to the toilet’ one Daily Mail headline declared by way of example, the ensuing news story alerting readers to what seemed a particularly insidious health …Continue Reading

Granville Williams, European Initiative for Media Pluralism On 22 March Neelie Kroes, the European Commission Vice President, gave an important speech in Dublin on safeguarding media freedom and pluralism.[i] Scouring the UK press I didn’t see one mention or report of it. No surprises there then, but you would have thought that with the intense interest …Continue Reading

Steven Barnett, University of Westminster and Hacked Off Paul Lashmar deserves our gratitude on two counts. First, he has reminded us all, eloquently and persuasively, why journalism matters. Paul’s unquestionable commitment to a branch of journalism which lies at the core of a healthy democracy should be an example to anyone with responsibility for teaching aspiring …Continue Reading