Thank you for contacting me about the Media Bill, and in particular the Government’s manifesto commitment to repeal Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013.
Freedom of the press is one of the pillars of our democracy, holding the powerful to account without fear nor favour; and a core principle of that freedom is that the press should be free from government interference. If commenced, Section 40 could force publishers to pay the costs of the people who sue them, even if the publishers win, unless they are signed up to a state-approved regulator.
The majority of traditional publishers, including 95 per cent of national newspapers by circulation, are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the independent regulator for most of the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK.
In addition, in the years since the Leveson Inquiry, many publishers have introduced comprehensive guidance on topics including accuracy and harassment. Where participating publishers fall short of their legal standards, IPSO offers support to victims of libel, slander or malicious falsehood in the form of low-cost arbitration, which offers quick access to fair and independent redress. IPSO can also act against publishers that do not comply with the Editors’ Code of Practice, as it has done on many occasions.
I note that you also raised the issue of SLAPPs, or ‘strategic lawsuits against public participation’. I have highlighted this issue in the past and thank you for your interest in this issue.
I will closely follow the debate as the Bill progresses.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.