Hacked Off
@hackinginquiry • 36,864 subscribers
Born out of the tabloid hacking scandal, we advocate for a responsible press that stands up for the public, upholds democracy, and defends free expression.
Videos
🚨 Hugh Grant’s discusses the human cost of press abuse are a powerful reminder of why the Leveson Inquiry is needed to hold those responsible to account. Speaking about the victims, he names Abigail Witchalls, who was left a quadriplegic after a brutal stabbing. Her medical records were stolen and splashed across tabloids, compounding her family’s pain. Read more in the Byline Times article below: Grant highlights the Watson family, who lost their daughter in a playground murder, only for the press to cruelly suggest she deserved it. Their son, unable to cope, later took his own life. These are real families destroyed not just by tragedy but by callous, unrestrained press invasions. As public trust in UK media crumbles, there’s renewed pressure on Keir Starmer to resurrect Leveson. Even the mother of Caroline Flack is urging him to “find the courage” to act. Exclusive polling shows people overwhelmingly want media reform. Starmer must listen. The time for accountability is long overdue. #Leveson2 #PressReform
Hacked Off328,601 views • 1 year ago
We at Hacked Off are calling for Leveson Part Two. 📷 Over a decade ago, lies turned into a tangled web of corruption: 'one rogue reporter' became an entire industry crisis, implicating newspapers, police, and even politicians. The Leveson Inquiry was split, and Part One exposed a culture of hacking, bribery, and data theft. But Part Two — the investigation into who orchestrated, ignored, and enabled this — was never completed. It’s time to uncover the full truth. Join us in demanding accountability. #Leveson2 #HackedOff #HughGrant #PressAccountability"
Hacked Off300,486 views • 1 year ago
“If you don’t have a reliable press, you’re in real trouble.” — Hugh Grant on ITV As the Labour Party Conference concludes, not one senior figure has addressed the industrial-scale criminality committed by major UK newspapers or the ongoing failure to deliver justice for the victims of press abuse. Sign the petition now for a better press: In this clip, Hugh Grant calls on the next Prime Minister to act: to introduce a law forcing newspapers to uphold the basic standards they claim to follow standards they flagrantly ignore. His message is clear: without a press we can rely on, democracy itself is at risk. The media's power to mislead, smear, and silence has never been more dangerous or more ignored. Even tonight, as the second episode of The Hack airs on ITV, exposing the dark truth of the hacking scandal, much of the mainstream press remains silent. This blackout is deliberate. Because The Hack doesn’t just tell a story it names the names and shows the rot that still lies at the heart of the UK media system. If Labour is serious about integrity, transparency, and justice, this cannot be swept under the rug any longer. 📷 The Hack continues tonight on ITV. Don’t let this moment pass in silence. #TheHack #HughGrant #PressAbuse #Hackgate #HackedOff #PhoneHacking #PressReform #LabourConference #JusticeForVictims #MediaSilence #Leveson2Now #DemocracyDependsOnIt
Hacked Off103,367 views • 10 months ago
In the lead-up to the News UK trial, we’re revisiting former News of the World deputy features editor Paul McMullan’s explosive testimony at the Leveson Inquiry. In this clip, McMullan claims that former editors Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson were fully aware of phone hacking at the tabloid. McMullan states: “We did all these things for our editors—for Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson. It was that blatant and obvious. Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson, they’re the scum of journalism for trying to drop me and all my colleagues in it. Most of my colleagues were with me, saying, ‘How dare these people just throw us to the wolves and run off scot-free.’” He alleges that Coulson brought the practice of phone hacking into the newsroom and criticises both Coulson and Brooks for abandoning their reporters when the scandal broke. McMullan’s candid allegations suggest a toxic culture within News of the World and a lack of accountability among its senior leaders. As the trial begins, these revelations remind us of the systemic issues within the media and the individuals accused of enabling unethical practices at the highest levels. #HackedOff #MediaEthics #LevesonInquiry #NewsUKTrial
Hacked Off124,622 views • 1 year ago
Lord Leveson, calmly dissecting the issue of unauthorised voicemail access, presses Piers Morgan on the legality of listening to private messages. The Leveson Inquiry, launched to uncover the truth behind the phone-hacking scandal that implicated British tabloids, saw Piers Morgan (Piers Morgan) defending his time as an editor. Leveson suggests calling Lady McCartney to settle it: "Did you authorise Mr. Morgan to listen to your voicemail?" Lady McCartney is called: "Never, ever." "Have you ever played or authorised him to hear any recording of your voicemails?" "Never." In that moment, the defence crumbles, exposing the unethical practices at the heart of tabloid journalism. #LevesonInquiry #PhoneHacking
Hacked Off113,113 views • 1 year ago
Social media users are angry at the platforming of disgraced former News of the World editor Andy Coulson on Rylan Clark's "How to be in the Spotlight' podcast on BBC Sounds. Asking why a former criminal, who served time for phone hacking should be given the chance to redeem himself, when many of the victims he targeted have had no justice? #rylanclark #bbcsounds #phonehacking #leveson
Hacked Off129,431 views • 2 years ago
Our board member Hugh Grant, speaking on BBC Radio 4, called the NGN settlement a partial victory but warned the fight for media justice is far from over. He explained how NGN spent over £1 billion across 1,300 settlements to avoid court scrutiny, shielding those at the top of The Sun and News of the World from facing court allegations. Grant refers to the 30 million emails that were deleted in an alleged corporate cover-up and argued that those who ordered illegal actions—like hacking and blagging—could still be in positions of power. He called for new criminal investigations and the long-promised Leveson Part 2, saying: “The CEO of News Group Newspapers now was editor of The Sun at the time when it was, as they've now admitted, indulging in criminality... We don't think it is job done by any means” This landmark case raises questions about accountability and political will. Will the truth finally come out? #HackedOff #NGNTrial #LevesonInquiry #HughGrant #PressEthics #PrinceHarry
Hacked Off91,999 views • 1 year ago
Hugh Grant on Howard Stern: After speaking out about press misconduct in 2011, the mother of his children received a threatening anonymous call. He revealed evidence of phone hacking, police bribery, and sinister ties between media and government—exposing it all with a secret recording. #PressReform #PhoneHacking #hughgrant #hughgranteh #HereticMovie #heretic
Hacked Off90,494 views • 1 year ago
1300 cases, more than £1bn paid out, a decade of litigation and finally The Sun and NGN finally admit to illegal activities after years of denial. What a journey, what a victory for Prince Harry and Lord Watson. Our CEO, Nathan Sparkes, breaks down the historic settlement outside the Royal Courts of Justice: But the fight isn’t over. Without Leveson Part 2, we may never know who authorised these crimes. It's time for accountability, and only a public inquiry can uncover the full truth. #NGNTrial #PressEthics #MediaJustice #PrinceHarry
Hacked Off81,493 views • 1 year ago
📹 Our Board Members Hugh Grant and MsJones tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: unchecked power in the hands of the press and its profound impact on democracy. They shed light on two powerful pathways toward genuine press accountability. This was at the brilliant Yellow Press Evening with Hugh Grant filmed by Yellow Lens Productions. 1️⃣ Strengthened Regulation: Hugh emphasises the need for a truly independent press regulator—an authority as essential as those that oversee any other powerful industry in the UK. “The newspapers have shown, time and again, that self-regulation simply doesn’t work,” he explains, as he calls for a system that goes beyond “marking their own homework” and brings justice to innocent victims of press abuse. 2️⃣ Responsible Ownership: They both question the fairness of Britain’s press being dominated by wealthy foreign owners, driven more by profit and political influence than journalistic integrity. “Shouldn’t British papers be owned by British people?” Hugh asks, highlighting the concerns with global media giants holding significant sway over national narratives. It’s time to rethink how we protect both freedom and responsibility in the media industry. Our democracy deserves it. 🇬🇧📜 #PressReform #HackedOff
Hacked Off46,080 views • 1 year ago
Hacked Off board member and former Sun journalist Emma Jones joined James O’Brien on LBC to break down the explosive NGN trial involving Prince Harry and Lord Watson. Jones highlighted the “shifting sands” at the High Court, with adjournments leaving the future of the case uncertain. If it goes to trial, it could allegedly expose a corporate cover-up at News Group Newspapers, implicating top executives like Rebekah Brooks and even Rupert Murdoch himself. Jones explained the stakes: ‘We’re talking about email deletions, whistle-blower buyouts, and widespread criminality—reaching the very top of Murdoch’s empire.’ With Prince Harry determined to bring transparency and NGN desperate to avoid public scrutiny, could this trial finally bring justice to Britain’s tabloid culture? Or will it end with another high-profile settlement? Watch the full clip for insights from inside the courtroom and the wider implications for press reform. #NGNTrial #PressEthics #PrinceHarry #HackedOff
Hacked Off40,479 views • 1 year ago
