A better balance

Following the phone hacking scandal the Government set up an inquiry to consider press standards. It is headed by Lord Leveson who led the unsuccessful prosecution of Ken Dodd for alleged tax evasion.

Leveson has gone about his current task with the zeal of a man who this time is determined for greater success. There will be much from Leveson about the disgrace that is phone hacking but the territory upon which the parameters of change will be most delicately charted will be more loosely defined than matters of legality — what will matter in the end will probably be what is felt to be 'acceptable'.

Those appearing before the inquiry include comedian Steve Coogan (who I can never quite detach from Alan Partridge) and Gerry and Kate McCann.

Coogan claims that the News of World agreed to restrict the coverage of his extra-marital affair, provided that he confirmed the less embarrassing details. He claims the paper wrung this confirmation from him only to print everything regardless.

The McCann's story includes a gross invasion of privacy — the printing of Kate McCann's diary (apparently leaked by Portuguese police) in the News of the World just the year after the disappearance of her daughter.

At the inquiry Mrs McCann described the article published in 2008 under the heading 'In her own words' as showing 'absolutely no respect for me as a grieving mother'. She continued, 'I had written these thoughts, these words at the most desperate time of my life.'

Leveson will be hotly debated in Parliament. I look forward to taking part. I am all for press freedom but rather sickened by the all too prevalent and commercially inspired intrusiveness of some of our national tabloid media – a better balance must be struck.

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