Phone hacking in the British press: three key moments in the scandal – and what happens next
Prince Harry has emerged victorious in his civil case against Mirror Group Newspapers. Judge Mr Justice Fanning ruled that a sample of 15 out of 33 articles examined were the result of phone hacking and other illegal measures. In a 386-page report, Fanning stated that there was evidence of widespread and habitual use of phone hacking at the Mirror newspapers.
Harry was awarded damages of £140,600 and commented, Today is a great day for truth, as well as accountability. This case is not just about hacking – it is about a systemic practice of unlawful and appalling behavior, followed by cover-ups and destruction of evidence, the shocking scale of which can only be revealed through these proceedings.
This case is the latest development in a series of events that have rocked the tabloid press in the UK in recent years.
In July 2011, it was alleged by The Guardian that journalists from News of the World had hacked into the phone messages of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. Moreover, the messages were deleted to make way for more, giving her parents the false impression that she was still alive and receiving messages.
The facts surrounding this case have never been conclusively resolved, but the reporting on this and other allegations of phone hacking, as well as the public’s reaction, led to the closure of the News of the World that same month. The paper had been one of the most widely read in the UK.
At that time, James Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, acknowledged: The News of the World and News International failed to get to the bottom of repeated wrongdoing that occurred without conscience or legitimate purpose.
In response to the widespread criticism of the News of the World, David Cameron, the prime minister at the time, commissioned the Leveson Inquiry to examine the culture, practices, and ethics of the British press. The inquiry aimed to recommend ways to achieve more ethical and professional standards, ultimately leading to a new, more effective policy and regulatory regime for the press.
When the inquiry’s report was published in 2012, it heavily criticized the tabloid press. The report described their conduct over the years as outrageous and proposed the creation of a new, independent organization to regulate the press, free from political and commercial influence.
The result of the inquiry was the formation of the Independent Press Standards Organization (Ipso), which has regulated the press since its establishment. However, it does not align with the vision of independence put forth by the Leveson report.
The second part of the Leveson inquiry, which was meant to investigate the relationship between the police and journalists, was never conducted and was ultimately shelved in 2018. The government’s explanation for this decision was the perceived cost and time-consuming nature of the exercise.
In 2014, several key journalists who had worked for the Rupert Murdoch-owned News of the World were charged with conspiring to hack voicemails. Among those implicated were former editors Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson, with the latter having subsequently served as David Cameron’s director of communications at Number 10.
In the end, Brooks was acquitted of any criminal misconduct, while Coulson received an 18-month jail sentence for conspiracy to hack phones.
Prince Harry’s recent legal victory against the Mirror could be seen as evidence that he is determined to prevail in his ongoing battle against the British press. With the ruling strongly suggesting that Piers Morgan had knowledge of phone hacking during his tenure as editor at the Mirror (a claim Morgan denies), Harry may be feeling increasingly emboldened as he pursues further legal action against Associated News and News UK for alleged privacy violations and unlawful information gathering.
In conclusion, Prince Harry’s successful case against Mirror Group Newspapers is just one development in a long-running scandal that has rocked the British press. The fallout from the phone hacking allegations, resulting in the closure of the News of the World and the Leveson Inquiry, continues to influence the regulation and behavior of the UK media. As Harry gears up for further legal battles, the wider implications of these cases on press ethics and accountability remain to be seen.
