Monday, April 23, 2012

Ofcom probes John Darwin email hacking by Sky News

World Top Stories News Ofcom probes John Darwin email hacking by Sky News
Media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into two cases of email hacking by Sky News, including that of 'canoe man' John Darwin

The broadcaster admitted earlier this month that one of its journalists had hacked into the Yahoo mail account of Darwin, who faked his own death in a canoeing accident in 2002 so his wife Anne could claim hundreds of thousands of pounds from insurance policies and pension schemes.

Ofcom is also investigating a separate case where Sky News hacked into the email of a suspected paedophile, although no material relating to the hack was published or broadcast.
Sky News head of news John Ryley said the information gleaned from the hack of Darwin's email had proved 'pivotal' in the conviction of his wife Anne after it was handed to police.

Speaking at the Leveson inquiry into media ethics today in a pre-arranged appearance Mr Ryley accepted that Ofcom did not allow any exceptions for breach of criminal law.

Ofcom said it was investigating the 'fairness and privacy issues' raised by the hacking, which saw former Sky News managing editor Simon Coles authorise north of England correspondent Gerard Tubb to hack into Darwin's email.

At the time Sky News said its action amounted to being in the public interest and represented 'responsible journalism'.

'We stand by these actions as editorially justified and in the public interest,' a spokeswoman added.

But Ofcom said: 'Ofcom is investigating the fairness and privacy issues raised by Sky News' statement that it had accessed without prior authorisation private email accounts during the course of its news investigations.

'We will make the outcome known in due course.'

Shortly after the email hacking claims were disclosed by the Guardian it emerged Mr Cole was leaving Sky News after 17 years but he said the move was 'unrelated to the Darwin story'.

The Ofcom code states that 'any infringement of privacy in programmes, or in connection with obtaining material included in programmes, must be warranted'.

Options open to Ofcom in the wake of an infringement being confirmed including fines and, in severe cases, licences being revoked.

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