Leveson Inquiry

• The Leveson Inquiry was a public, judge-led inquiry.
• It was set up by Prime Minister David Cameron to investigate the press after journalists at the The News of the World were accused of illegally accessing the voicemail messages on other people's phones, without their knowledge or consent.
• They were also accused of bribing police officers.
• Some of those who had their mobile phones 'hacked' into in this way were celebrities, sports people and politicians.
• The News of the World was closed down by its owner, News International, when this information became public.
• Lord Justice Leveson, on the evidence presented at the Leveson inquiry, stated his recommendations on how the press should be regulated.

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            They were:

1.   Newspapers should continue to be self-regulated and government should have no power over what newspapers publish.

2.     A new press standards organisation, with a new code of conduct should be created by the press industry.

3.     Legislation should be provided to ensure this new press standards organisation would be independent and effective in dealing with public complaints.