Philosopher and crossbench member of the House of Lords. Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and, among many other senior roles, former President of the British Academy (2005-2009). She was founding President of the British Philosophical Association (BPA) and until 2006 Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge, and chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Gave written evidence to the Inquiry on press freedom and human rights in an international setting. Has published extensively on concepts of media freedom.
The BPPA was founded in 1984 to promote and inspire high ethical, technical and creative standards. In written evidence, it said that its members included a large percentage of the country's frontline news photographers. It had successfully established guidelines by which all UK police forces now worked with photographers. The BPPA unsuccessfully sought Core Participant status at the Inquiry arguing that its members would be subject to significant criticism throughout the hearing. It pointed out typical dilemmas for its members arising from the hearing itself. Photographers had discussed whether it was right to photograph witnesses arriving and departing, as for a straightforward news story, for instance. The continuous use of pejorative terms such as "paparazzi", when referring to the very wide spectrum of news photographers, harmed their collective reputation, it said.
Organisation supporting governments, parliaments and any organisation that wants to involve citizens in decision making to be transparent, open and welcoming of participation.
Founded 1994. Advisory non-departmental public body of the UK Government, established to advise the Prime Minister on ethical standards of public life. Gave evidence to the Inquiry on its Biennial survey covering trust in the media and journalists.
