4.3

• newspapers- advantages

  • Reach: Could reach a wide geographical area for a national newspaper
  • Credibility: Certain newspapers have a sense of respect, and readers are likely to engage in the material  
  • Depth: In-depth coverage can be achieved to discuss complex issues
  • Targeted Audience: Newspapers have specific target groups, so can direct their message
• newspapers- disadvantages


  • Demographic: Newspapers likely to miss a younger audience
  • Cost: Printing large quantities of newspapers is expensive
  • Measurability: Difficult to estimate the impact of the campaign
  • Usage: Lessening use of print media comparison to digital
• newspapers- Sarahs law -> why was it started


  • Sarah Payne, 8 years old, abducted and murdered in 2000
  • On a family trip, Sarah’s parents allowed the children to play by themselves.
  • If the parents had known that there was a known sex offender in the area, they would have protected Sarah.
• newspapers- sarahs law -> key parties involved


  • News Of The World, supported the campaign and published names and pictures of 50 people claimed to be sex offenders
  • Produced a ‘vigilante effect’ and the government refused to agree
• newspapers- sarahs law -> how views were changed


  • Sarah’s parents and the newspapers continued the campaign
  • Government began to change their mind when another young girl was kidnapped and sexually assaulted
  • Government minister went to USA to see the work of Megan’s Law
• newspapers- sarahs law -> laws or policies introduced


  • 2008: Pilot scheme in four areas of the UK. Police would disclose info if it was in the best interest of the child
  • 2011: Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme introduced for the whole of England and Wales
• newspapers- sarahs law -> impact

  • In the first 12 months since the law was introduced:
  • 1,600 enquiries 
  • 900 formal applications 
  • 160 disclosures relating to child sex offences
  • 58 disclosures concerning other offences.
• newspapers- road safety in Bradford -> why was it started


  
  

  • Rising concerns in reckless driving and speeding
  • Reduce the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities
  • Encouraged readers to send in dash-cam videos of dangerous driving
• newspapers- road safety in Bradford -> key parties


  
  

  • Bradford Telegraph & Argus Newspaper
  • Bradford City Council
  • West Yorkshire Police
• newspapers- road safety in Bradford


  How It Changed People’s Views

  • ‘Operation Steerside’, crack down on dangerous driving
  • Caught almost 8,000 drivers breaking the law by road policing teams
  • An operation firmly embedded in local force culture

  Laws or Policies Introduced

  • Campaign highlighted in Parliament by Bradford MPs
  • Part of a national consultation about toughening up dangerous driving legislation
• newspapers- road safety in Bradford -> 2015 campaign called for


  • The standard of driver training/testing to be raised
  • Minimum driving age to raise to 18 years old 
  • “Probationary driver” for the first 12 months 
  • New drivers to be forced to drive only speed limited cars
  • A “bad-driving hotline” to deal with complaints
  • Increased use of CCTV on dangerous roads
  • Drivers with no insurance to face a driving ban of at least 12 months
  • More traffic police numbers 
  • Mandatory re-education and training programmes for drivers convicted of careless or dangerous driving
• newspapers- road safety in Bradford -> impact


  • forum to share images/ videos
  • advice/ warnings to drivers
  • firefighters warnings in schools
  • notable hotspots/ examples
• newspapers- year and a day rule

  Why was the campaign started?

  • Michael Gibson died after being assaulted by David Clark in 1992
  • Clark was only charged with GBH and was jailed for two years
  • Year And A Day Rule: If victims of an assault lived for a year and a day, their attacker can’t be tried for manslaughter or murder

  Who were the key parties involved?

  • ‘Northern Echo’ launched the ‘Justice For Michael’ campaign, urging readers to sign a petition
  • Published a front-page photo of Michael in a coma, with the parents’ permission
• newspapers- year and a day rule

  How did it begin to change people’s views?

  • Thousands of readers signed the petition
  • Newspaper was vital in helping to mobilise support
  • The story humanised the issue and develop a sense of public empathy

  What were the laws or policies introduced as a result?

  • 1994: Introduced as a bill in the House of Commons but narrowly defeated
  • 1996: Bill passed in Parliament to become the 1996 Law Reform (Year and a Day Rule) Act 
• individual- bobby turnbulls anti gun campaign -> what was it about

  • Bobby Turnbull’s mother, sister and aunt were killed in their home in County Durham by Michael Atherton.
  • Michael Atherton, legally owned six weapons (including three shotguns), and had a history of domestic violence
  • Atherton had previously had the guns removed after the domestic violence, but they were later returned to him
• individual- what should authorities check for when providing someone with a gun

  • Background Check: Criminal record checks
  • Mental Illness: Mental health record checks to see if they have the potential to pose a risk 
  • Legal Status: Citizenship & residency documentation  
  • Training and Competency: Completion of a firearms safety programme
  • Character References: Assess their suitability for ownership.
  • Ownership: Establish the purpose of wanting a firearm
  • Safety Measures: Verify the individual’s plan for storage
• individual- bobby turnbulls anti gun campaign

  Key Parties Involved

  • Change gun laws and start a hotline for people to report their concerns

  How did he try to change policies/laws

  • Launched a petition, gained 20,000 signatures, appeared regularly in the media and lobbied MPs for change

  Laws and Policies Introduced 

  • Amendments to the Firearms Act 1968, suspended sentence of more than 3 months can’t possess a firearm
  • Every incident of domestic abuse, should prompt a police review of firearms suitability
• individual- change to the double jeopardy law


  “Individuals could potentially be tried or punished multiple times for the same offense, even after being acquitted or convicted in a previous trial. Abolishing double jeopardy would allow prosecutors to bring new charges or reopen cases against individuals, often in light of new evidence”
• individual- change to the double jeopardy law -> Stephen lauwrence

  • Calls to change the rule was supported by the Macpherson Report
  • The Stephen Lawrence murder took place in 1993
  • The Macpherson Report was released in 1999
  • The Change To The Double Jeopardy Law became legislation 2003
  • New DNA evidence emerged to link Gary Dobson to the killing of Stephen Lawrence
  • Dobson was convicted along with another suspect David Norris
• individual- change to the double jeopardy law -> Anne Mings campaign


  • Julie Hogg was killed in Teeside in 1989, Billy Dunlop was put on trial for her murder
  • In 1991, a jury in Newcastle Crown Court failed to reach a verdict
  • A second trial took place later that year, no verdict was reached, and Dunlop was cleared
  • Dunlop later confessed to the murder. He was convicted of perjury (lying in court) but not for anything in connection with the murder
• individual- change to the double jeopardy law -> Anne Mings campaign


  How It Tried To Change Policies Or Laws

  • Ann Ming began the campaign to have double jeopardy abolished
  • She took the campaign to newspapers, radio, television and politicians

  Laws and Policies Introduced

  • Criminal Justice Act 2003: Double Jeopardy Law was abolished for 30 serious offences, including murder
  • Dunlop became the first person to be convicted of murder, and now serves a life sentence
• individual- Claires law


  Why was the campaign started?

  • Murder of Clare Wood by her ex-boyfriend in 2009.
  • Campaigned for a law that allows individuals to request information from the police about a partner's history of abuse.

  Key Parties Involved

  • Clare Wood’s Family
  • Domestic violence advocacy groups
  • Law Enforcement
• individual- Claire's law


  How did it change people’s views?

  • Empowered individuals to make decisions about their safety in relationships. 
  • The need to highlight transparency and accountability in disclosing information.

  How did it change laws/policies (if successful)?

  • Clare's Law: Implemented in 2014. 
  • Individuals can request information from the police about a partner's history of domestic violence 
  • Aims to protect potential victims
• individual- Lillians law


  Why Was The Campaign Started?

  • Murder of Lillian Groves killed by a hit-and-run driver under the influence of drugs.
  • Aim to introduce tougher penalties for drug-driving offenses to act as a deterrence

  Key Parties Involved

  • Lillian Groves’s Family
  • Road Safety Groups
  • Police Force
• individual- Lillian's law


  How did it change people’s views?

  • Raised awareness about the consequences of drug-driving
  • Encouragement for stricter penalties
  • Prioritised road safety and holding offenders accountable

  How did it change laws/policies (if successful)?

  • Tougher penalties implemented for drug-driving offenses
  • New drug-driving limits and penalties for offenders (fines, driving bans, and imprisonment).
• individual- Lillian's law -> punishments


  • A minimum 1-year driving ban
  • Unlimited fine
  • Up to 6 months in prison
  • A criminal record
  • Fatality – Life Imprisonment

  Other Punishments

  • Higher insurance costs
  • Conviction on your licence 
  • Difficulties in travelling to other countries
• individual- helen's law 


  Why was the campaign started?

  • Murder of Helen McCourt in 1988. 
  • Campaign for murderers who refuse to disclose the location of their victim's remains to be denied parole.

  Key Parties Involved:

  • Marie McCourt 
  • Helen McCourt’s Family Members 
  • Victims’ Rights Groups 
  • Law Enforcement
• individual- helen's law


  How did it change people’s views?

  • Highlighted the trauma for victims' families 
  • Ensuring murderers do not have the opportunity for release until they provide such closure.

  How did it change laws/policies (if successful)?

  • Received royal assent in 2020 
  • Murderers who withhold information are denied parole eligibility
  • Provides an incentive for offenders to disclose this information
• pressure groups


  • Organisations that attempt to influence the government in the interest of a particular cause
  • They attempt to gain public support and then persuade politicians to change the law accordingly 
• pressure groups- protection against stalking

  • PAS (Protection Against Stalking), attempted to introduce a new law to make stalking an offence
  • Laws regarding anti-harassment did not refer to stalking specifically 
  • Thought to be around 120,000 a year
  • Claire Bernal Case Study: Shot dead by her stalker in 2005. Her killer had been due in court for harassment
• pressure groups- how is stalking considered an offence

  “Stalking involves persistently following someone. It does not necessarily mean following them in person and can include watching, spying or forcing contact with the victim through any means, including through social media”.

  • Stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm, or distress is a serious offence. ways that the stalking has caused a level of fear could include:

  1. Changing their route to work to avoid contact with the stalker
  2. Putting additional home security measures in place
  3. Moving home
  4. Suffering physical or mental ill-health
• pressure groups- protection against stalking

  • PAS, supported by Napo (probation officer union), set up an independent parliamentary inquiry, persuading MPs from all different parties to serve on it.
  • The inquiry heard from victims, as well as probation officers, police, lawyers, academic experts etc
  • Success: Protection of Freedoms Act (2012). Made stalking a criminal offence.
• pressure groups- benefit of having these agencies involved to change stalking laws

  • Victims/Relatives: Can discuss the impact & provide an emotional attachment to the cause.
  • Academic Experts: Evidence-based reasoning on the stats/patterns of stalking
  • Lawyers: Propose a draft of the new law change, can identify gaps in the current law
  • Police: Identify the barriers in investigating/prosecuting stalking cases
  • Probation Officers: Consider the victims' perspective on stalking offender’s release
• pressure groups- inquest


  • Focused on state-related deaths, for instance those in police custody, prisons, immigration detention centres and psychiatric care
  • Casework includes: Grenfell Tower Fire, Hillsborough Disaster and the shooting of Mark Duggan
  • INQUEST ensure that investigations into deaths are treated in a respectful and dignified manner
• pressure groups- inquest -> benefits

  • Independence: They are independent from government agencies and can be impartial
  • Voice For The Victims: Provide a platform for the victim’s and their loved ones to be heard
  • Highlights Issues/Failings: Identify systemic issues with the police and courts etc…
  • Provides support: Can give support or guidance to families
  • Increases public awareness: Grow the campaign from localised to nationwide.
• pressure groups- inquest 


  • Casework: Specialist casework to support bereaved people and to establish the truth about a death.
  • Accountability: The state are held accountable and should face repercussions for failing to safeguard individuals in their care
  • Changing Policies: Uses their research to prevent similar deaths and put pressure on public bodies
• pressure groups- inquest -> grenfell tower, family voices

  • “There was no support in the immediate aftermath. It was absolutely crazy. Three days of wandering around hospitals trying to find some answers.
  • “We have a perception that the Government will always look after us, thought there would have been an organised response, but there wasn’t.”
  • “There was no central register of who was safe, who was in which hospital. The next of kin should have been told”.
  • “There seems to have been serious inequality in the aftermath. The loudest were heard and the quietest were ignored”. 
• pressure groups- inquest -> mark Duggan inquest co director


  • “We cannot have a situation where citizens are shot dead on the streets of London and no-one is held accountable”
  • “The use of lethal force has been disproportionate to the risks posed, and where the safety of the public was put at risk”
  • “The misinformation and mistreatment of the Duggan family and the perception that the police can act with impunity were at the root of the disturbances”
  • “This finding calls into question whether families of those who die by the use of force will ever find justice and accountability in the system.”
• pressure groups- inquest -> Hillsborough


  • Hillsborough Law: Campaign making it a crime for senior police officers to cover up institutional + individual failures
  • Mother of Hillsborough Victim: “It's a disgrace that we have to put this into law because I always thought there was a duty for the police to tell the truth anyway... we've got some bad laws in this country, they need to be fixed.“
  • Co-Director (INQUEST): “They're more concerned about reputation management, hiding the truth and defending policies and procedures even where there is clear evidence of systemic or individual failings”
• pressure groups- British lung foundation

  
  

  • Prevent lung disease by campaigning for positive change regarding lung health within the UK.
  • Awarenesses of the disease, the dangers of it and how to prevent itSecured 50,000 signatures in the petition regarding smoking in cars with children present. This was presented to the government
  • Conduct research to show the dangers of smoking
  • Campaigned for change regarding the plain packaging of cigarettes
  • All features of Children and Families Act 2014