Rowling slams 'toothless' Press Complaints Commission
JK Rowling today told the UK's Leveson Inquiry that Britain's media watchdog the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) was “toothless” and journalists appeared “free to breach its code”.
She said, in a written witness statement, that she had “lost confidence” in the PCC.
Rowling said available “remedies” did not deter “the behaviour” of “certain sections of the media.”
“I had lost confidence in the PCC and the belief that it could deter further interference with our family life,” said Rowling.
“I have heard the PCC referred to as being ’toothless’. In my opinion and given my experience of the PCC ... I would have to say that I agree with that.
“Based on my experience, the press do appear to be free to breach the PCC Code, the very framework that supposedly underpins their operations, without fear of retribution. As far as I am aware, there appear to be no consequences for this bad behaviour.”
She said the activities of paparazzi photographers might also be affected of newspapers adhered to the spirit of the PCC’s conduct code.
“I appreciate that the paparazzi are not signatories to the PCC, however, the way in which the conduct themselves is primarily as a result of the fact that there is a market for paparazzi photographs amongst the press and media,” she said.
“In my experience I believe that the paparazzi feel that they are beyond the reach of regulation and the law, save where an individual is willing to formally commence legal proceedings against them.
“The bottom line, however, is that if the newspapers adhered to the spirit of the code and furthermore contacted the individuals before publishing pictures of them taken without consent it would affect how the paparazzi operate because they won’t be able to sell photographs which were taken in such circumstances.
Rowling, who gave her name as Joanne Kathleen Rowling, said she had gone from being “an ordinary person” to someone who was “to an extent ’famous”’ as a result of the Harry Potter books.
“I would like to stress that I do not want to be involved in the inquiry as a result of any personal vendetta against the press. I have none,” she said.
“On the contrary, I acknowledge and support the vital role that the press plays as part of a free and democratic society. As an author I strongly believe in freedom of expression.
“I believe that the right to be informed and to share ideas is essential. If I had not been able to freely express my ideas over the years I would not be in the privileged position that I am today.
“Furthermore, I would be the last to deny that media interest in my story and my work must have had some beneficial effects on the sales of the first Harry Potter book and every one thereafter. I have never forgotten how I was treated with kindness and respect by some of the first journalists who interviewed me.”
She added: “However, as interest in Harry Potter and myself increased, my family and I became the target of a different kind of journalistic activity. The effect on me, and our family life, truly cannot be overstated.”
Rowling said it was a “great shame” that “certain sections of the press seemingly engage in practices which are dishonest, disruptive and invasive”.
“In my experience, the remedies that are currently available to address this problem are either ineffective and/or do not act as a sufficient deterrent to curtail the behaviour of certain sections of the media,” she added.
“I am supportive of a free press and believe in freedom of expression, I would welcome any development that makes it easier to enjoy private lives free from intrusion. There are a few, very expensive means of escape available.”
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