British newspaper editors have backed a "radical" code of conduct banning the publication of photographs obtained by "stalking" public figures and children announced by the Press Complaints Commission yesterday, in a move which could change the face of British journalism.
The chairman of the commission, Lord Wakeham, had told newspaper editors that the changes to the privacy code would be "dramatic" and that they must "change" with the times. To that effect, Lord Wakeham described the guidelines, which were drawn up following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, as "the toughest set of industry regulations anywhere in Europe". They would also apply to several publications on the Internet.
As of today, "there will no longer be a market in this country for pictures taken by the sort of photographers who persistently pursued Diana", he said.
The Sun's editor, Mr Stuart Higgins, said he looked forward to a "more open and regular dialogue" with the PCC, but although the Daily Mirror's editor, Mr Piers Morgan, "unequivocally" welcomed the guidelines, he warned the media that apportioning blame after the princess's death was not helpful. He also dismissed a call from one Tory MP to fine newspapers that ignored the guidelines as "a massive misapprehension".
Central to the code's recommendations is a "sincere determination" to respond to public disquiet over the harassment of public figures and an acceptance that British editors have not played by their own self-regulatory rules.
In future, editors will be expected to observe guidelines that include: a ban on the publication of photographs taken by illegal means or by stalking. This will bring pressure on editors to verify the source of a photograph and by what means it was obtained.
Photographic agencies will be encouraged to adopt the guidelines in an attempt to "cut down on the market for the paparazzi"; a ban on reporting the private life of children while they are in fulltime education simply because their parents operate in the public eye; banning payments for stories to children under the age of 16; extending the definition of private property to include restaurants and churches; raising the threshold of exemption from the guidelines from public interest to an "overriding public interest".
There will also be stricter limits on intrusion into personal grief.
The revised privacy code is the result of three weeks of consultation between Lord Wakeham, the editors of the national newspapers and the princess's brother, Earl Spencer, who launched a blistering attack on the press at his sister's funeral earlier this month. However, the question remains whether editors will follow guidelines which are not fully backed up by legislation. Presswise, a group which campaigns against press intrusion, said it was sceptical about self-regulation.
However, speaking after the guidelines were announced, Lord Wakeham said that "progress" had been made without the need to resort to statutory regulations. He spoke also of the need to protect all children, including Prince William and Prince Harry.