[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syXjoR_WmbE"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Rebecca LawsonOn October 29th, three press reform campaigners—Jacqui Hames, Professor Steven Barnett, and Danielle Hindley—took to the set of John Cleese’s new TV show "Dinosaur Hour" to discuss an issue almost as ancient as the dinosaurs themselves: press reform. The message they delivered was clear—press reform is a matter that needs attention.

Jacqui Hames, Hacked off board member, former police officer and presenter, has been an advocate for press reform for years. Her firsthand experience dealing with the media during high-profile cases has given her unique insights into the power and responsibility wielded by the press as well as her own personal experience as a victim of phone hacking and press abuse. Steven Barnett, a professor of communications at the University of Westminster and also a Hacked Off board member, brought an academic perspective. Danielle Hindley, a victim of abuse by the Mail on Sunday shared her story, which illustrates the effect an unregulated press can have on the wellbeing of ordinary members of the general public.

Hames, drawing on her experiences, spoke passionately about the impact of media intrusion on individuals' lives, especially in high-profile criminal cases. She stressed the need for ethical journalism that prioritises accuracy and fairness over sensationalism. The former police officer called for a balance between freedom of the press and protecting the rights and privacy of individuals caught in the media spotlight.

Barnett, with his academic background, provided a historical perspective on press regulation, pointing out the shortcomings of existing systems. He argued that self-regulation within the media industry had proven insufficient in curbing unethical practices. Barnett advocated for an independent regulatory body with teeth, capable of holding press organisations accountable for breaches of ethical standards, with a more reliable regulatory body like Ofcom. He also emphasised the dangerous relationships between the press and the government and the effect this can have on our democracy.

Hindley, serving as the voice of the Press Justice Project and a survivor of press abuse, poignantly shared her own story of press intrusion and inaccuracy. Her account vividly illustrated the critical importance of having a trustworthy regulator that holds newspapers accountable, as the absence of such oversight leaves the general public to fend for themselves.

In the end, the message was clear: the media landscape, like the dinosaurs, must evolve. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]