Rogue newspapers face 1 million fine...

[sandyRoe]

Is that enough? Some years ago The Sun fabricated a story about Elton John. They eventually paid him a million in compensation and didn't seem too distressed about doing so.

[sandyRoe]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/leveson-calls-press-regulator-133204200.html


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[jackthehat]

A solitary million may be no great loss.......but if they have to shell out similar to all those they malign, it may concentrate their minds a little more.

[FredPuli43]

If someone as rich as Elton John gets defamed they can afford to take on The Sun, and any other newspaper. The ordinary man cannot.

[youngmafbog]

It would be voluntary signing up. simple dont sign up, dont have to pay.

No mattr what is done here , someone will complain.

There are laws already - tey enforcing them should be the ansewer, how would this have stopped the phone hacking I would like to know?

[FredPuli43]

The gap in the present law is that we have no law of privacy. Existing criminal laws are against phone hacking, bribery of policemen and public official, harassment and so on and civil laws are against libel and slander, but the latter requires extensive funds.
If a paper suggests that a married soap star has committed adultery, that may or may not be true, but it can hardly be justification for doorstepping him or her, spreading the story over several pages. It's no answer to say that the party is famous. Likewise, if paparazzi take long lens shots of some actress or duchess in a state of undress in her private garden or at a window, it can hardly be said to be a matter of public interest.

[anotheoldgit]

Nice one Prime Minister.

One in the eye for all those hoping to strangle the press.

[Gromit]

The Daily Mail libel against US Billionaire cost them £4million. It didn't modify their behaviour at all. £1million is paltry and will not make a jot of difference.

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/node/40629

[DTCwordfan]

Close them down for a month (or more) and that would sting them where it hurts.......

[SeaJayPea]

DT, that is the best and only answer. First offence - 'Don't publish for a week' second offence a month. If there's a third, then you close down for a year. You're not allowed to make anybody redundant and you have to pay all your staff for that period, even if they do nothing.

[DTCwordfan]

Yep.....five high SeaJayPea? It's not the paper revenue from us punters (though it helps - and we may disappear to another brand), it's the loss of advertising revenue that is the kicker.

[ludwig]

It isn't nearly enough.

A million is the maximum don't forget, so that would be their nuclear option for the very worst of offences - like hacking Milly Dowler's phone.

For a common or garden regular harrassment, intrusion or libel, they'd be paying alot less. Less than lunch expenses for their managers annually.

I find it strange that after Leveson's harsh words he recommended this fairly paltry maximum fine.