Why the Leveson Inquiry must be allowed to finish its work

The Media Reform Coalition have written about why the Leveson Inquiry must be allowed to finish its work.

They conclude that:

If we never get to the bottom of the webs of institutional corruption that have persisted for decades between elements of the press, police and politicians, then the real problem is a systemic failure of justice and accountability. That is why the Competition and Markets Authority, in its current review of the proposed buy-out of Sky by 21st Century Fox, must not repeat mistakes made by Ofcom in its preceding ‘fit and proper’ assessment of the Murdochs. It is also why – regardless of the outcome of that review – the Leveson Inquiry must be allowed to finish what it started.

You can read the full article on the Media Reform Coalition website.

Below is reminder of the terms of reference of part two of the Leveson Inquiry. Given News International is the former pre-phone hacking name of the Murdoch empire’s UK newspaper business News UK the relevance of part two of the Leveson Inquiry to their current bid for Sky couldn’t be clearer (emphasis added):

Part 2

3. To inquire into the extent of unlawful or improper conduct within News International, other newspaper organisations and, as appropriate, other organisations within the media, and by those responsible for holding personal data.
4. To inquire into the way in which any relevant police force investigated allegations or evidence of unlawful conduct by persons within or connected with News International, the review by the Metropolitan Police of their initial investigation, and the conduct of the prosecuting authorities.
5. To inquire into the extent to which the police received corrupt payments or other inducements, or were otherwise complicit in such misconduct or in suppressing its proper investigation, and how this was allowed to happen.
6. To inquire into the extent of corporate governance and management failures at News International and other newspaper organisations, and the role, if any, of politicians, public servants and others in relation to any failure to investigate wrongdoing at News International
7. In the light of these inquiries, to consider the implications for the relationships between newspaper organisations and the police, prosecuting authorities, and relevant regulatory bodies – and to recommend what actions, if any, should be taken.