Inquiry launched

Pressure continues to build over concerns about media invasions of privacy. The Loreena McKennitt verdict in the Appeal Court has strengthened the use of breach of confidentiality in privacy cases and offers considerable guidance over how to handle intrusion and the direction the courts intend heading.
Meanwhile, MPs have become also become more concerned about privacy invasions and the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has decided to hold an inquiry into Press self regulation to investigate the efficacy of the Press Complaints Commission. These concerns have been triggered by the recent illegal access to voicemail messages (see earlier post) and the treament of public figures by photographers - a clear reference to the paparazzi harassment of Kate Middleton. The inquiry will ask whether self regulation offers sufficent protection over privacy; whether the PCC code needs amending; whether existing law on the disclosure of personal information should be strengthened and what form of regulation (if any) should apply to online news provision. The inquiry will be quick with submissions invited by Feb 26 and oral evidence in early March.
It's difficult to tell at this early stage how significant this inquiry might be, but with the last inquiry only three years ago, the PCC probably wishes that the CMS committee would go back to worrying about gambling.