Phone hacking: Leveson calls for journalists to volunteer information

Journalists and editors have been asked to provide examples of "inappropriate behaviour" in the press, as part of the judge-led inquiry into phone hacking and corruption.

Outlining the details of the inquiry today (28 July) at a panel meeting, Lord Justice Leveson confirmed that the initial focus will be on the relationship between the press and public, as well as the issue of press regulation.

He stipulated that he would exercise his right to call for potential witnesses to provide him with statements and documents "as soon as possible".

But, he added, evidence should not only be collected by using statutory power and called on the press to volunteer information itself.

"I am fully aware that many journalists, papers and magazines have devoted many years of attention to the criminal, unethical and utterly inappropriate behaviour of small sections of the press and I recognise that the present inquiry is in no small part the result of such journalism.

I would encourage all to take a wider picture of the public good and help me grapple with the width and depth of the problemLord Leveson

"I could, of course, require journalists to provide me with their files of examples for they are indeed essential to provide a factual background to the important issues that we must discuss but, at this stage, I would rather invite editors, proprietors of magazines and journalists to assist me by providing a wide range of examples of what is contended to be inappropriate, for one reason or another, across the fullest range of titles.

"It may be tempting for a number of people to close ranks and suggest that the problem is, or was, local to a group of journalists then operating at the News of the World, but I would encourage all to take a wider picture of the public good and help me grapple with the width and depth of the problem."

Within his opening statement, Leveson also seemed to highlight a potential challenge caused by the wider remit announced by the Prime Minister to remain within the original 12 month time period.

"I turn now to the terms of reference which, in the week following the initial statement by the prime minister on 13 July, grew very substantially although the time within which the initial report is to be delivered remained at 12 months," he said.

"I recognise the vital importance of reaching a number of conclusions within that broad time frame and I will strive to do so, but not at all cost.

"Given the scope of the inquiry and the likely quantity of evidence, the inquiry team itself and all of those who participate in the process will have to exercise very considerable discipline and, where appropriate, restraint. It is critical that we concentrate on the central and most important issues."

A preliminary hearing is to be held by the inquiry in September, which will address key parts of the inquiry process. A series of seminars will then follow in October, covering topics such as the law, journalism ethics and the practice and pressures of investigative journalism.

Leveson also recommended that in "due course" similar seminars be held on relationships between the press and police, politicians and the political process.

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