I cant be alone in wondering why we have spent £7 million on this?

Same here, the press have got to powerful IMO.

You should know CC that the law is only for those who can afford it............

But what I cant understand is that they were actually brought to book - they've been taken to court and people are to go on trial for the phone hacking etc - that's without any new law coming into being.

We have libel laws - and if a newspaper defames someone they have an avenue through the courts.

Phone hacking was illegal - a new law would make it double illegal?

The BBC wrongly accused the ex tory guy........they settled out of court under current law.

Surely this entire thing has been a complete and utter waste of time?

The only thing I can see benefiting anyone is for quicker libel actions and heavier fines for errors - but that doesn't need changes in law.

true....so encourage the no win no fee in libel laws

The only people (with the odd exception) to fear the press are those with something to hide or possibly the greedy underhanded political classes who would rather be seen in a good light rather than in a true light.

The press has made some mistakes, but it would be wrong to censor or curb their right to print controversial items, without the press the whole sorry and sordid government expenses debacle would have went unchallenged along with a load of other things.

The only people (with the odd exception) to fear the press are those with something to hide or possibly the greedy underhanded political classes who would rather be seen in a good light rather than in a true light.

State Intervention of what the press can or cannot write is just another nail in the coffin of freedom of speech and true democracy.

I'd much rather have the Warts and all press that we currently have than a feel good version of the Utopian weekly where only fluffy kittens make front page news.

I

aint

bovvered

Mistakes makes it sound accidental.
Some of what has been done over the years has been nothing short of deliberate manipulation of the truth and or outright lies.

Now I don't want to sensor the press, but I do think that reporters, editors and publishers should be personally accountable before the law for what they print. Their mistakes as you call them can and do ruin lives.
It's not the job of papers to peddle unsubstantiated rumours or make up stories. Their job is to investigate and expose the truth.
They should be ensuring what they print is accurate...in short do their job properly.

They have been left to self regulate for far too long and they have failed miserably at it.