Derecho de los medios
Regulación de la difusión, libertad de expresión, desacato y restricciones informativas.
Introducción
El derecho de medios equilibra la libertad de expresión con restricciones como el desacato y la protección de la privacidad.
Principios fundamentales
Freedom of Expression — Article 10 ECHR (given effect by the HRA 1998) protects the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to receive and impart information. The right is qualified and can be restricted where necessary and proportionate.
Contempt of Court — The Contempt of Court Act 1981 creates strict liability contempt: publications that create a substantial risk of serious prejudice to active court proceedings are punishable.
Reporting Restrictions — Various statutory provisions restrict reporting of court proceedings, particularly involving children (Children and Young Persons Act 1933, s.39), sexual offence complainants (Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992), and family proceedings.
Privacy — There is no free-standing tort of privacy, but Article 8 ECHR provides protection through the action for misuse of private information (Campbell v MGN [2004]).
Ofcom Regulation — Ofcom regulates broadcasting content, ensuring compliance with the Broadcasting Code covering impartiality, accuracy, harm and offence, and the protection of children.
Online Safety — The Online Safety Act 2023 imposes duties on providers of internet services to protect users from illegal content and, for services likely to be accessed by children, from content harmful to children.
Leyes clave
Casos principales
Campbell v MGN Ltd
[2004] UKHL 22
Reynolds v Times Newspapers
[2001] 2 AC 127
Escenarios comunes
Newspaper publishes private photos
The subject may bring a claim for misuse of private information (Campbell v MGN). The court balances Article 8 (privacy) against Article 10 (freedom of expression), considering whether the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy and whether publication was proportionate.
Social media post prejudices a criminal trial
Publishing material that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice to active criminal proceedings is strict liability contempt under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. This applies to social media posts as much as traditional media.