Log in
The last 10 years leading up to the Leveson Inquiry have been a significant period for journalism. Research at LJMU has concentrated on standards, the effectiveness of media regulators and dealings between reporters and their sources. This work has demonstrated the weaknesses in press regulation that underpin poor standards of press journalism (evidence given to Leveson). This research has directly influenced policy makers, campaigners, and the regulators in their examination of how reporters work. This includes a fuller understanding of the expectations of both reporters and sources in reporting bereavement that is of relevance to all working in victim support.
Prof Brian Cathcart's research, investigation and analysis led him to co-found the Hacked Off campaign, which campaigned for a public inquiry into the newspaper phone hacking scandal. The Prime Minister set up such an inquiry under Leveson LJ. In response to the inquiry report, the Government developed legislative and other proposals to implement Leveson's recommendations. Cathcart, who became executive director of Hacked Off, was involved at a high level in the development of these proposals. This led to the approval by Parliament of a new Royal Charter for press regulation.
University of East London (UEL) research on media policies has contributed to policy submissions made to the UK government, Leveson Inquiry, politicians and regulators, and to supranational organisations such as the European Commission. The research has particularly informed the development of policies adopted by civil society organisations and has influenced regulatory outcomes, policies and policy debates, especially where these relate to product placement, cross- media promotion, and media ownership and pluralism. Proposals on media plurality have informed UK policy debate, particularly via their reference in oral evidence provided by Dr. Jonathan Hardy to the 2013 House of Lords Select Committee on Communications. These policies on media ownership have also influenced Labour Party policy debate and formulation, and have been adopted by the TUC and other organisations.
The three impacts outlined here derive from research by Professors Ivor Gaber and Jon Silverman into the relationship between the media and the formation and development of policy in the fields of child protection, drugs policy and mental health. Gaber and Silverman were members of the Munro Review of Child Protection (2010/11), and their input led to recommendations about the management of media relations during child protection crises. Silverman's research into the media and drugs policy contributed to the final report of the influential UK Drug Policy Commission (October 2012). Gaber was a member of the Independent Inquiry into the Care and Treatment of Michael Stone (2006) and worked with the Mental Health Alliance, both of which played significant roles in the policy debates that led to the reform of the Mental Health Act.
Dr Paul Grainge (Associate Professor of Film and Television Studies, Nottingham, 2001-present) and Dr Catherine Johnson (Associate Professor of Film and Television Studies, Nottingham, 2010-present) have been pioneering the study of the promotional screen industries, raising the status of a vibrant sub-sector of the global creative industries. Through engagement with key media practitioners, they have: