19 March 2003
The media will not be able to pay witnesses during criminal proceedings under plans set out by the Press Complaints Commission, the BBC, the Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority. The Government has welcomed the proposals.
The effect of payments to witnesses on the administration of justice has been a concern for some time, said Baroness Scotland of the Lord Chancellor’s Department.
The Minister said she was pleased that the plans meet the government’s requirements that:
- there should be an absolute ban on payments or offers of payments to witnesses or potential witnesses while proceedings were active
- regulation should be extended to cover payments before proceedings become active, to provide that payments should only be made where necessary in the public interest
- no payments should be made conditional on the outcome of the trial
The Government has considered introducing legislation but, following a consultation and discussions with the media, has accepted the strengthening of self-regulation as an alternative. The Lord Chancellor has, however, emphasised that if the problem persists despite the stricter rules the Government will introduce legislation.
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