Mockridge gave testimony as Chief Executive Officer of News International Group Limited, the role previously held by Rebekah Brooks, and provided information on several newspapers, including The Times and The Sun. Questioned about Rupert Murdoch's views on self-regulation of the press. Told the Inquiry that having only been in the UK a few months (he was previously in New Zealand and Australia) he was of the view that British press freedoms were envied by many around the world.
Scottish journalist and a former deputy editor of The Scotsman. Editor of The Independent on Sunday at the time of the Inquiry, Mullin gave evidence on behalf of that paper and said that IoS journalists would be expected to work to the highest ethical standards. He defended his decision to publish a story during the days of the Inquiry detailing Andy Coulson's shareholding in News Corporation while Coulson was working for 10 Downing Street. Mullin refused to reveal how he had come by Coulson's witness statement.
Publishing Director of The Sun, having joined the paper in 1987 as a production journalist working on the news, features and sport desks. He was appointed Publishing Director in June 2007 to oversee the production of the news and feature pages. Prior to this he worked as The Sun's Head of Sport between 2001 and 2007 and as Assistant Features Editor for eight years, between 1993 and 2001.
Had been Picture Editor of the Sunday Express for 12 years at time of giving evidence. Explained procedures for acquiring pictures and that all photographs used came from freelancers. None the less, he said, a photographer's failure to abide by the Editors Code of Conduct would result in him or her not being used again. If the desk suspected a picture had been taken without permission they would seek details of the circumstances. Evans offered the opinion that there should be more training for all in the law relating to the press.
British Labour politician, author, MP for Sunderland South from 1987 to 2010. During the 1980s, Mullin led a campaign that resulted in the release of the Birmingham Six, the victims of a miscarriage of justice. His novel A Very British Coup was adapted for television. Told the Inquiry of his concerns about ownership of the Press and, in particular, the power of News International titles and that group’s influence on policy of successive governments.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is the UK Government department responsible for aspects of the media throughout the UK, including broadcasting and internet. Jonathan Stephens, Permanent Secretary at the time of the Inquiry, gave evidence on how the DCMS operated, the role of special advisers and how this worked at the time of the bid by News Corporation to increase its holdings in BskyB, responsibility for which had been unexpectedly transferred to the DCMS. Stephens spoke of his regret that one special adviser, Adam Smith, had to resign when it emerged he had had extensive communications with a News Corporation lobbyist while the deal was under discussion.
Broadsheet newspaper founded in 1783. The Herald claims to be the longest-running national newspaper in the world, and is the eighth oldest daily paper in the world. The title was simplified from The Glasgow Herald in 1992. Edited at the time of the Inquiry by Jonathan Russell, who gave evidence on the relationship between press and police in Strathclyde and the importance of professional press officers aiding the police.
LA-based entertainment news and photography agency, founded 1990, providing candid celebrity photography and video content to worldwide entertainment print, online and broadcast media outlets. Gary Morgan, Senior Vice President of Splash News and Picture Agency at the time, gave evidence on quality assurance measures in place at the agency.
Sunday sister paper of Daily Mirror that began life as the Sunday Pictorial and was renamed the Sunday Mirror in 1963. See also evidence of Tina Weaver, editor at time of Inquiry; Justin Penrose, crime correspondent; and reporters Nicholas Lee Owens and Sarah Jellema.
Twitter UK is the wholly owned subsidiary of Twitter International Company, an affiliate company of Twitter, Inc. Twitter UK provides marketing and sales support services to Twitter International in connection with sales of advertising to customers in the UK. In a voluntary statement, it made clear that Twitter UK had no control over the Twitter service. At the time of giving evidence, Twitter had not blocked content to users in the UK which people in other countries could see. Twitter would consider whether such an action was necessary on a case-by-case basis.
Daily national newspaper based in London. First issued 1785 under the masthead The Daily Universal Register, adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. The Times and its sister paper, the Sunday Times (founded in 1821), are published by Times Newspapers, a subsidiary of News UK, wholly owned by News Corp. The Times and Sunday Times do not share editorial staff, were founded independently, and have only had common ownership since 1967. James Harding, editor at the time of the Inquiry, and Philip Webster, editor of The Times website and former political editor, gave evidence. Rupert Pennant-Rae gave evidence on behalf of the INDS, The Times's six Independent Directors.
Regional evening newspaper based in Wolverhampton and covering the West Midlands and Staffordshire. Adrian Faber had been editor of the Express and Star for 10 years at time of giving evidence and spoke of the culture change that had occurred when the West Midlands Police introduced press officers. Told the Inquiry that relationships were generally good but that the police's aim of "reassuring the public" could be frustrating.
