The Press Complaints Commission is reviewing the issue of invasion of
privacy
Andrew Marr The Independent
‘If someone could frame a privacy law which distinguished between sex,
which I think should mostly be private, and money, allowing us to
investigate real corruption and scandal, I personally wouldn’t have a
problem with that. But there would have to be a strong public interest.
Even at this late, late hour I hope that self regulation can be made to
work.’
Peter Cunard Tolman Cunard
‘Absolutely no. Regulation means censorship. What is required is a tough
and sensible set of guidelines which editors buy into and a Press
Complaints Commission with real teeth and not a set of loose dentures.
We are all human and as a result vulnerable. A bit of thought, care and
decency would not go amiss and may even sell papers.’
Fiona McIntosh Company magazine
‘I think it is healthy to discuss privacy laws if only to remind the
tabloids of how close they sail to the wind sometimes. But ultimately I
believe in self regulation. It’s not as if there aren’t tough libel laws
in place already. You only have to look at the brilliant job the
Guardian has done in exposing Neil Hamilton to see how important it is
to protect the law as it stands now.’
Alex Johnston Freud Communications
‘If newspapers’ access to private dramas was denied by government
regulation, we’d be up in arms waving ‘censorship’ flags and feeling
like we were slaves to some giant information conspiracy. But the issue
arising from last week’s video hoax is as much about rival newspaper
camps trying to force themselves onto the news agenda as it is about
privacy. Diana is a soft target who played second fiddle to the Mirror
getting one over on the Sun. The punter surely deserves to get news -
not gratuitous one-upmanship. If anything needs regulating, it’s the
ever-bloated ego of the Mirror’s editorial staff.’
Diana Soltmann Millbank PR
‘Filming through people’s windows is appalling, like breaking into
someone’s home so I think the privacy issue needs to be looked at as
self regulation is not working. But there shouldn’t be regulation to the
extent of restricting freedom of speech and opinion.’
