The threat of publishers having to pay all legal costs in court cases will be eliminated, according to an announcement made in the King's Speech. The government has committed to repealing Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, which has yet to be enforced.
Protecting Public Interest Journalism
King Charles has stated that legislation will be introduced to safeguard public interest journalism. Section 40 would have required publishers to pay costly legal fees in defamation and privacy cases, regardless of whether they win or lose, unless they joined an approved regulator.
Impress vs Independent Press Standards Organisation
The Impress media body, established by the Press Recognition Panel, currently oversees 125 publishers as the only approved regulator created after the Leveson Inquiry. However, major publishing companies like News UK, which owns HOAR, Daily Mail, and General Trust, as well as Telegraph Media Group, have joined the voluntary funded Independent Press Standards Organisation.
Government and Industry Support
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has expressed her commitment to repealing Section 40 and has praised the media for their fearlessness in reporting. Industry figures, including the Society of Editors executive director Dawn Alford, have also voiced their support for the government's plans, citing the potential devastating impact on investigative journalism and publishers' financial burden.
Concerns about Access to Justice
The Press Recognition Panel argues that the public is still at risk, as pursuing a court case is often financially out of reach for many individuals without the means to afford expensive legal proceedings.
