4.3

Question 1

Campaigns affecting policy making
Newspaper campaigns

Answer 1

Newspaper Campaigns:

•• Newspaper campaigns are efforts by media outlets to bring attention to particular issues, often through a series of articles, editorials, and public appeals. These campaigns can influence public opinion and pressure policymakers to introduce or amend legislation.

• Newspapers act as a bridge between the public and policymakers, highlighting social issues, raising awareness, and advocating for changes that align with public sentiment.
News of the World - Sarah’s Law:
• Following the abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne in 2000, the News of the World launched a campaign for a law to allow parents access to information about known sex offenders in their area.
• The campaign led to the introduction of “Sarah’s Law” in the UK, officially known as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme. It allows parents to ask police if someone with access to their child has a history of child sexual offences.
• The success of this campaign shows how media pressure can lead to significant legislative changes aimed at protecting vulnerable populations.

Northern Echo - Year and a Day Rule:
• The Northern Echo campaigned to change the “Year and a Day Rule,” which stated that a death could not be legally attributed to an assault if the victim died more than a year and a day after the incident.
• The campaign highlighted cases where victims died after this period, and offenders could not be prosecuted for murder. In response, the UK government abolished the rule in 1996, allowing prosecutions regardless of the time between injury and death.
• This example illustrates how targeted campaigns can bring about changes in outdated legal
provisions
Daily Mail - Campaign against Dangerous Dogs:
• Following a series of high-profile dog attacks, the Daily Mail launched a campaign to address the issue of dangerous dogs. It called for stricter controls on dog ownership and tougher penalties for owners of dangerous breeds
• The campaign contributed to public pressure for the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act
1991, which banned certain breeds and imposed stricter regulations on dog ownership.
• This demonstrates how media campaigns can lead to new legislation aimed at public safety.

The Sun - Justice for the 96 (Hillsborough Disaster):

• After the tragic Hillsborough disaster in 1989, The Sun initially faced backlash for its reporting.
However, in subsequent years, various newspapers, including The Sun, called for justice for the victims, highlighting cover-ups and the need for accountability.
• These campaigns kept public attention on the issue, leading to new inquiries, the quashing of previous verdicts, and official apologies from the government and police.
• The ongoing media attention resulted in the establishment of the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2009, which eventually led to revised inquests and acknowledgment of police and governmental failures.

2. Individual Campaigns:
   • Clare’s Law:
   - George Appleton, had a history of sexual assault convictions, has murdered his ex-girlfriend.
   - Clare had made several complains to the police about Appleton harassing and threatening to kill her, but the police had taken no action.
   - Clare’s farther had campaigned to introduce a law to enable women to know about their partners violent past. He was supported by radio key 103, charities and politicians.
   - Campaign persuaded the government to introduce the domestic violence disclosure scheme 2014.
   - Gives the person the right to disclose information about their partner or the partner of someone else, and allows the police to disclose information to protect a potential victim even without request.

Lillian’s law

Introduce roadside drugs testing devices
- Make it a criminal offence to drive under the influence of drugs
- Have random drug spot checks
- Give tougher sentences on those found guilty of drug driving
Why was it started?

Why was the Lillian’s Law campaign started?
When 14 year old Lillian Groves was killed outside her home by a speeding motorist who had been smoking cannabis

How did the Lillian’s Law campaign work?

Her parents started a petition that gained more than 22000 signatures and was presented to the PM at Downing Street
In March 2015, the changes to the law were introduced by the introduction of the ‘Drug Driving Regulations 2014’

Ann Ming’s campaign to abolish the double jeopardy law
ANN MING’S CAMPAIGN TO ABOLISH THE DOUBLE JEOPARDY LAW
Key parties involved
Julie’s mother, Ann Ming, vowed to bring her daughter’s killer to justice, having to ensure the abolition of an 800-year-old law to do so Second trial took place later that year, different jury failed to reach a verdict, Dunlop formally cleared.
He later confessed in belief of the law preventing him from going back on trial for the murder.
Convicted of perjury (lying in court under oath), but no action taken in connection with the murder.

ANN MING’S CAMPAIGN TO ABOLISH THE DOUBLE JEOPARDY LAW
How it tried to change policies/laws

Ann Ming began her campaign to have the double jeopardy law abolished.
Took her campaign to newspapers, radio and television stations, and many politicians.

The government backed changes to the law.
As a result of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 double jeopardy was abolished for 30 serious offences, including murder.
Law was retrospective.
Dunlop was first person to be convicted of murder under new law, serving life for Julie’s murder.

3. Pressure Group Campaigns:
   • British lung foundation:

• Aims to prevent lung disease by campaigning for positive change in the UK’s lung health.
• Recent campaign was to change the law on smoking in cars with children. Secured 50,000 signatures with a petition Also ran research reports and are published on their website Have 25,000 followers on social media which is small, but they ar followed by influential people such as Jeremy Corbyn.
• As a result of this campaign, there is a ban on smoking in cars with children.
  Children and family act 2014

Protection against stalking
Led to the the protection of freedom acts 2012

The Protection Against Stalking (PAS) campaign was started in ChatGPT said:
The Protection Against Stalking (PAS) campaign was started in the UK to help people who are being stalked. It was set up in 2010 by two mothers whose daughters were killed by their stalking ex-boyfriends. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about stalking, support victims, and push for stronger laws to protect them. PAS teaches people how to spot the signs of stalking, offers advice and help to victims, and works with the police and courts to make sure stalking is taken seriously. They also campaign for legal tools like Stalking Protection Orders to keep victims safe UK to help people who are being stalked. It was set up in 2010 by two mothers whose daughters were killed by their stalking ex-boyfriends. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about stalking, support victims, and push for stronger laws to protect them. PAS teaches people how to spot the signs of stalking, offers advice and help to victims, and works with the police and courts to make sure stalking is taken seriously. They also campaign for legal tools like Stalking Protection Orders to keep victims safe

Inquest-The “No More Deaths” campaign by the UK charity INQUEST aims to prevent deaths involving the police, prisons, and mental health services. It calls for a National Oversight Mechanism—an independent body to track and enforce recommendations from inquests and official reviews. Despite hundreds of reports each year suggesting how to prevent future deaths, many are ignored. The campaign pushes for a national database, better accountability, and action to stop repeated state-related deaths. This led to the ICPO 2019 act which allowed the investigation of state officials