View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
May 26, 2011

Now you see it…How the law has stopped the press reporting on private lives

Amid the furore this week over the naming off Ryan Giggs as the footballer at the centre of a Twitter privacy row – the UK law on privacy was said to be in a shambles.

As politicians, judges, and the tabloids fight it out over injunctions, regulation of the internet, privacy and the role of the Press Complaints Commission, Press Gazette looks back over the last decade at the development of the UK law of privacy.

Before the Human Rights Act came into force in 2000 the law of privacy hardly existed in the UK, although there was the more limited law of breach of confidence.

Via landmark legal rulings and settlements involving the likes of Amanda Holden, Niema Ash, numerous footballers and Max Mosley – journalists have found they can write less and less about the private lives of the rich and famous.

This interactive timeline details the major landmarks involving privacy and the press over the last decade as reported by Press Gazette.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network