August 20, 2018

The News Media Association reports that publishers have voiced fears for press freedom and the principles of open justice after the BBC announced that it would not be appealing the judgment in the Sir Cliff Richard case.

Responding to the announcement, the NMA said that the case had raised “wide issues around the reporting of the criminal justice process”. Given the broader consequences for press freedom, the NMA said, it was “surprised that the BBC has decided not to appeal this decision”. The NMA said that it would now seek “urgent meetings with the Government” to ensure that “freedom of speech is not curtailed as a result of this judgment”.

The NMA also reports that The Sun said in a leader: “It is not paranoia to say that [the judgment] opens up the possibility for the very principles of open justice to be thrown out of the window. Although Cliff was not arrested, lawyers will now expect anonymity for clients who are. Yet some cases only proceed because publicity brings forward more victims. Stuart Hall is a famous example. Naming him established a pattern of behaviour without which he would not have been jailed.”

The NMA also quoted the editor of the i, Oliver Duff, who said: “Mr Justice Mann’s ruling ushers in a dangerous change to the law – and it needs to be challenged. It tips the delicate balance between an open society and privacy too far the towards secrecy.”

Further, Society of Editors executive director, Ian Murray, said: “These are serious issues and should not be decided by the verdict in one celebrity court case, no matter how high profile. Parliament should now urgently consider whether such a step towards individual privacy against the protection of society’s overall liberties is acceptable.” To read the NMA’s assessment in full, click here.