14/07/2010

Available for over a year

Ten days ago, Raoul Moat was unknown to the general public; by today, tens of thousands of people had joined a Facebook site celebrating him. What role did the media play in turning this alleged murderer into an anti-hero and what can - or should - news editors do to minimise the risk? That is the discussion between media commentator Roy Greenslade and the BBC's head of newsgathering, Fran Unsworth. From Los Angeles, psychologist Dr Park Dietz raises his concerns. Earlier this month the government said police would need stronger grounds before stopping and searching photographers on suspicion of terrorism. While welcoming this repeal of s44 of the Terrorism Act, photographer Marc Vallee says he still has concerns about police conduct, which he puts to ACPO's spokesman on this, Craig Mackey, Cumbria's Chief Constable. And, as former Talksport presenter Jon Gaunt loses his claim that OFCOM interfered with his freedom of expression, what impact might the case have on broadcasters in the future? Corinna Ferguson is the legal officer for Liberty, which supported Jon Gaunt's claim.