CPS considering charges against journalists

The Crown Prosecution Service has received four files relating to alleged offences committed by journalists.

It is thought that the files are related to four journalists, one police officer and six other people covering phone-hacking, among other allegations of perverting the course of justice, misconduct in a public office, witness intimidation and harassment.

“We are now entering a period where we are likely to make a decision one way or another.” – Keir Starmer, Director of Public Prosecutions.

Today the CPS published interim guidelines on the approach prosecutors should take when assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media. The guidelines are likely to be relevant when prosecutors are considering whether to charge journalists – or those who interact with journalists – with criminal offences that may have been committed in the course of their work as journalists. The publication also marks the start of a public consultation.

Keir Starmer added in a statement that journalists are not given special status under the criminal law but any public interest served by their actions is a relevant factor in deciding whether they should be prosecuted. “Under the guidelines, prosecutors are required to assess whether the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality before commencing a prosecution. If so, a prosecution is less likely.”