The media under scrutiny.In the wake of the hutton inquiry,are
constaints on journalists tight enough-and should newspapers be under
the same regulatory control as the broadcast media

I don't understand the question ...

The Director-General of the BBC and a journalist for the BBC were
sacked. There was no similar fallout in the hard copy media. And, of
course, since Hutton it is now admitted that there were no 'Weapons of
Mass Destruction'.

Basically i need to know the constraints imposed on journalists by the
press complaints commission,Ofcom and the law in relation to the
hutton inquiry.

A basic difference between British newspapers and the BBC, is that the
papers are privately owned and - subject to the laws of libel,
obscenity etc - can say what they like; but the BBC is publicly funded
(via licence fees) and its Charter requires it generally to behave
reasonably and to maintain balance in the political arena. The Hutton
enquiry concluded that the BBC had not behaved in a proper manner -
though many disagreed with that verdict - and duly various individuals
in the BBC, including its Director General, resigned. I'm not aware
that there was any corresponding, strong criticism of the newspapers;
but even if there had been I doubt if anyone would have resigned,
because the principle of press freedom would have been seen as
superceding any other considerations,  especially as, post-Hutton, it
has become clearer and clearer that there had been no weapons of mass
destruction in Iraq.

You mention the Press Complaints Commission; but I think this body is
mainly concerned with factual reporting (eg intrusion into private
lives); and would be very reluctant - and rightly so - to become
involved in issues regarding  comment on political matters.

do you belive thta becuase andrew gilligans background was newspaer
thta her handlesed his information from dr Kelly in the wrong way?

are the constraints on newspaper journalists tight enough at present
or do you believe they should be under the same regulations as the
broadcast media? This is what i really need to know usuing the Hutton
inquiry as the example.

I think that Andrew Gilligan handled everything in the right way but
it didn't go down well at No 10.

It is interesting that Alistair Campbell decided to resign shortly afterwards.

Cann somebody summerise the Hutton inquiry with all the essential
details into appox 300 words don't make it sound to complicated jsut
in simple terms please.I'm finding it hard to grasp

ok ive written what i think i can to answer this question so far.All i
need to do now is relate it back to the original question and conclude
it .Would someone plaese read through what ive written and finish it
off.The next comment will be the answer so far to . The media is under
scrutiny,in the wake of the hutton inquiry are constraints tight
enough and should newspapers be under the same regulatory control as
the braodcast media.

Newspapers and broadcast media are under constant preesure to adhere
to different constraints and controls set by reglatory bodies.Although
newspapers are percieved as free press,over time regulations have
become stricter.This has almost erdicated the idea that newspapers
being able to print what they wish in view of public interest.The
press complaints commission (pcc)is essentially an independent body
which deals with complaints from members of the public about editorial
content of newspapers and magazines.The pcc devised an editiors code
of practice which is changed periodically.It follows the main rules of
privacy,harassmant,accuracy,shock ang grief:the protection of children
and public interest.Changes take account of public interest and
parliamentary opinion as well as reports made on thier
behalf.Journalists must now be wary of such regulations by bodies like
the pcc as they are often binded to their contracts.This means
journalists can risk public humiliation the sack or even criminal
prosecution if these codes are broken.It is the trap BCC journalist
Andrew Gilligan fell into.Unlike newspapers,broadcast media requires a
licence in order to operate.The broadcast media follows a
communications bill which is essentially the law set by OFCOM.It's aim
is to enforce standards and protect the public.OFCOM is an
amalgamation of five reglatory bodies including the Independant
Television Commission(ITC).OFCOM is responsible for monitoring
broadcast output from television,radio,telecommunications and wireless
communications services.It follows rules regarding the maintenance of
standards and decency,protection of children,inpartiality.It also
limits the amount of violence and crime portrayed.OFCOM has the legal
right to issue fines or take away broadcast licences when these rules
are violated.Andrew Gilligan's demise began after he interviewed top
weapons expert Dr.Daind Kelly following the goverments premise that
Iraq could launch weapons of mass destrction in just 45
minutes.Gilligan had suspected the goverment of sexing up this claim
through the spin doctor Alistair Campbell in it's Iraq dossier.He felt
it was in the public interest to investigate this matter
subsequently.Dr Kelly revealed facts to Gilligan that suggested the
government were sexing up the dossier in order to convince the public
that Iraq was a threat.Gilligan went on to reveal his findings and
broke regulations.DR Kelly commited suicide because of the resulting
pressure and Gilligan was exposed.The Hutton inquiry lead by lord
Hutton,found the BBC to have violated media law and criticed its
handling of journalism issues.No blame was laid on the
governmant.Subsequently the BBC's director general Greg Dyke resigned
and the BBC was left in turmoil.It now had the difficult task of
mending a broken relationship with the government.


Please someone help finish this answer off by relating it back to the
original question