3 June 2003 – The News of the World is ‘surprised’ and ‘perplexed’ that the ‘Posh & Becks kidnap’ case has collapsed, and the role of the NoW in the scam is being referred to the Attorney General. The rest of us are surprised and perplexed that it hasn’t happened before.

The Murdoch papers are quick to yell and shout when others waste taxpayers’ money – will they now foot the estimated £500,000 bill the case has cost? Will they compensate the Beckhams for the cost of their added security and peace of mind? Will they compensate the men held in gaol after being duped into going along with a criminal conspiracy effectively financed by the News of the World? Will they apologise to their readers for adding to the crime rate instead of tracking down real criminals?

Of course not. They ‘stand by their story’ and continue to back their sleuthing scooper, Mazher Mahmood.

This case is the inevitable consequence of an unhealthy habit encouraged by Murdoch’s papers – pandering to people’s worst instincts by offering money for ‘good stories’. We have always argued that chequebook journalism is the anti-thesis of press freedom. If information is in the public interest it should not have a price tag.

Too often those who take the poison shilling for an exclusive find themselves abused by rival newspapers determined to get their own back for missing out. For once it is the News of the World that is getting a kicking.

There will be many of its previous ‘victims’ who would rejoice if the ‘Fake Sheikh’ were at last to get his come-uppance. Mazher Mahmood claims to be responsible for 100 convictions. It is a pity he has none of his own… Too often his journalistic triumphs have been tawdry entrapments just for the sake of a lurid headline or a celebrity scalp.

The case highlights another PressWise concern. For years we have argued that payments to witnesses should be banned. Twice newspaper editors have pre-empted threatened legislation by changing the Code policed by the PCC.

The PCC’s new Chairman is being predictably coy about this latest debacle. Like an avuncular headmaster anxious to keep critics at bay, Sir Christopher Meyer’s ‘we must wait and see’ statement assures us, “I will, of course, also speak to the newspaper about all the issues involved.”

And he ends with his first warning: “the PCC will certainly act in any case where a newspaper or magazine is found, after investigation, to have breached (the rules on payments to witnesses).”

Not good enough, Sir Christopher. The industry knows full well that part of the fun of the code is finding ways around it. If Meyer wants to make a difference to press behaviour and public attitudes he should be demanding a thorough investigation of the financial accounts and editorial procedures relating to chequebook journalism, and of the deals done behind closed doors to head off libel claims.

The papers will squeal that this is a commercially sensitive matter, but unless they come clean the public will retain a suspicion that they, like others who constantly cover their tracks, are not to be trusted.

This is an ideal good opportunity for Sir Christopher to demonstrate that he really does want a more transparent approach to newspaper regulation.

If it has not yet been discredited, perhaps Meyer’s PCC could adopt Tony Blair’s mantra: “Tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.”

Mike Jempson
Director

(Bulletin No 84)