Privacy and Media Intrusion : Fifth Report - v.1 : Report, Together with Formal Minutes

This report returns to the long-running debate regarding the balance between protecting media freedom of expression and ensuring respect for the private lives of individuals.

The National Heritage Committee had previously inquired into the subject in 1993 ("Privacy and media intrusion", HCP 294, session 1992-93; ISBN 0102976937).

The report finds that the current situation is one of uncertainty, with the overall legal context still developing in the light of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Data Protection Act 1998, and the new role of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and arrangements for broadcasting regulation.

Overall, standards of press behaviour, the Code of Conduct for press self-regulation and the performance of the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) has improved over the last decade.

The Committee makes a number of recommendations aimed at enhancing the independence of the PCC and aspects of procedure, practice and openness; the Code of Conduct; and the efficacy of available sanctions. Recommendations include an industry-agreed system of punitive and compensatory awards to be made in serious cases; and the regular appearance of the PCC before the Select Committee to report on its activities.

The report concludes that the Government should bring forward proposals for a privacy law to clarify the protection that individuals can expect from unwarranted intrusion by anyone, not just the media.