LONDON – Britain’s press is going to court in a bid to stop the imposition of new rules developed after the country’s phone hacking scandal.
Officials are working to create a body which would subject Britain’s newspapers and magazines to a government-backed watchdog insulated from media owners and publishers.
Proponents say it’s the right way to curb the abuses uncovered by the scandal, but many journalists worry the supposedly independent body could be abused by politicians to punish publications they don’t like.
Editors and newspaper owners have proposed their own version of the watchdog, but that was rejected by officials earlier this month.
Now an industry body has gone to Britain’s High Court to argue that the government hasn’t given their plan proper consideration. An injunction could be granted later Wednesday.
