In two weeks, we have a unique opportunity to help change the way our media operates. Lord Justice Leveson is due to deliver a report on how to clean up the press and he could recommend independent regulation backed by law.

If he does, media barons like Rupert Murdoch and the press could finally be held accountable for their actions. For tens of thousands of 38 Degrees members who’ve taken a stand against control of our media by a handful of powerful media bosses, this could be the chance to get the change we want.

The good news is that the leaders of all three main political parties have agreed to support Lord Justice Leveson's report if he recommends independent regulation. But the government is likely to come under huge pressure from media barons to drop plans to rein in their powers.

If the government knows the majority of MPs support them, they’re more likely to stand strong. So we need to make sure every MP is pushing the leader of their party to speak up for higher standards in our media. If hundreds of their voters get in touch, every MP will be under pressure to speak out.

Can you write to your MP asking them to publicly support their leader on bringing in Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations?

secure.38degrees.org.uk/leveson-leader-email

If you’re rich and famous and the media mistreats you, you’ve got a chance to set the record straight. You can pay for expensive lawyers to get an injunction, or sue for libel. But for most of us, those sorts of solutions aren’t an option. Proper regulation of the press means that everyone is protected when the media goes too far, not just the very wealthy.

38 Degrees members have been campaigning for a free media with high standards for years. We campaigned against cuts at the BBC in 2009. When news of the phone hacking scandal broke, we worked fast to make sure the government didn’t give the BSkyB deal the go-ahead.

Now it’s another critical moment for the British media. Write to your MP and ask them to make sure their party leader demands action on proper media regulation:

secure.38degrees.org.uk/leveson-leader-email


Thanks for being involved

Belinda, David, Hannah and the 38 Degrees team



Notes:

The media barons will probably use their papers to claim that independent regulation will somehow bring about an end to press freedom. However plenty of people in the industry don't believe this - the National Union of Journalists support a system of independent press regulation underpinned by statute.

David Cameron: "It can't be self-regulation, it has to be independent regulation." Evidence to Leveson Inquiry, 14/06/12

Nick Clegg: "We've asked Judge Leveson and his colleagues to do a job; we the government asked them to do that, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats - and assuming he comes up with proposals which are proportionate and workable, we should implement them. Simple as that." Leader's Q&A, Lib Dem Conference, 23/09/12

Ed Miliband: "A new body should have clear independence from those it regulates and freedom from political interference" Witness statement to Leveson Inquiry, 12/06/12

Hacked Off: The Leveson round up
hackinginquiry.org/news/the-leveson-round-up/