News Centre

Leveson Inquiry

09 December 2011

Professor Ian Hargreaves

A Cardiff academic has given expert analysis to the Leveson Inquiry – the ongoing public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press following the News International ‘phone hacking scandal’.

Professor Ian Hargreaves, Chair of Digital Economy in the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies and Cardiff Business School was among the UK’s leading academics presenting oral evidence to the Inquiry at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday December 8^th 2011.

His appearance follows the School’s recent submission of written evidence, at the Inquiry’s request, setting out its work in training journalists with regard standards and ethics, its degrees and extensive research activities.

The School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies is a world-leading centre for media teaching and research and has been a pioneer in journalism education since 1970. Its teaching and research is grounded in a commitment to ethics, social responsibility and the importance of journalism, media and communications to a healthy democracy.

Head of the School, Professor Justin Lewis said: "Cardiff has trained some of the most respected journalists in the UK and beyond, and our courses aim to set the highest standards of ethics training."

Cardiff’s research has already featured at the Inquiry in the form of Nick Davies’ 2008 book Flat Earth News which used the School’s research data into the independence and quality of UK journalism. The School has carried out a number of research projects relevant to the Inquiry, examining issues such as the economics of journalism and news coverage of a range of issues.

The Inquiry was announced by the Prime Minister David Cameron in July in response to the role of the press and police in the phone-hacking scandal.

Lord Justice Leveson was appointed as Chairman of the Inquiry. It will examine the culture, practices and ethics of the media, in particular the relationship of the press with the public, police and politicians.