Leveson’s three advisers: Say no to compulsory state regulation of the Press

Some key personalities in the industry say that compulsory state regulation of the Press is both unnecessary and illegal.

11:44 04 December 2012

Based on reports, Lord Justice Leveson was advised by three of his ‘assessors’ not to consider compulsory state regulation of the press, as it’s unnecessary and illegal.

 

One of his advisers, Shami Chakrabarti, director of a civil rights group, was said to have serious concerns about the idea that newspapers will have to sign up to a new regulator, otherwise they’ll be forced to do so.

 

She added that such proposal would be illegal under human rights law.

She said: "A compulsory statute to regulate media ethics in the way the report suggests would violate the Act, and I cannot support it.

 

"It would mean the Press was being coerced in being held to higher standards than anyone else, and this would be unlawful."

On December 2nd, it was confirmed that two additional advisers were also against the proposal.

Meanwhile, former Channel Four News political editor Elinor Goodman, and a former Daily Telegraph political editor reportedly told the judge that the compulsory regulation is not needed, as editors would sign up voluntarily to a tough new independent regulator.