Ofcom and PCC Look To Tackle Media Scrums

The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) and Ofcom have been holding meetings to discuss pushing for a self-regulatory approach to stop media scrums developing outside the homes of ordinary people. The meetings follow pressure from MPs for an industry-supported clampdown.

The Government, remains opposed to introducing a privacy law to tackle press invasion. Such a law is rightly seen as crossing the boundary between a free press and public interest. If implemented, it would be the first time in 400 years that there was that statutory underpinning of the way in which the press behaves.

The Government, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats welcomed PCC chairman Sir Christopher Meyer’s offer to have regular meetings with the all-party committee. The BBC chairman and director general already meet the committee on a regular basis.

The MPs are expected to invite the PCC chairman to update it on progress he has made since recommending a number of reforms including appointing more lay members.

But the group’s recommendation for the PCC to fine editors for serious breaches has, however, been rejected by the PCC and the Government.