Joint committee on privacy and injunctions

On 28 November 2011, the joint committee on privacy and injunctions took evidence from:

• LSE Law Professor Andrew Murray, Dr Ian Brown of the Oxford Internet Institute, Ashley Van Haeften of Wikimedia UK, Internet Service Providers Association secretary general Nicholas Lansman

• Richard Desmond, chairman of Northern and Shell Network Limited, which owns the Daily Star and the Daily Express, Paul Ashford, the editorial director of Northern and Shell, and Hugh Whittow, the editor of the Daily Express

The committee is made up of members of both House of Parliament and is examining how the statutory and common law on privacy and the use of anonymity injunctions and super-injunctions has operated in practice.

MPs and peers are trying to establish how best to strike the balance between privacy and freedom of expression.

They seek to make recommendations on the future of media regulation in this context, including the role of the Press Complaints Commission and the Office of Communications (OFCOM).

The committee is expected to report by 29 February 2012.