Category: Media Ethics

A gripping account of what it felt like to be editor when the Daily Telegraph broke the scandal of MPs’ expenses had even hardened reporters sitting on the edge of their chairs at the annual lunch of the Journalists’ Charity at Simpson’s in The Strand (2.3.2010).William Lewis, now editor in chief of Telegraph Media Group, said that initially he feared the story was a hoax and he was not completely convinced until the Justice Secretary Jack Straw finally confirmed that the purloined disc, which contained details of all the claims, was genuine. Chris Boffey, chairman of the Journalists’ Charity, said it was an honour for the charity to hear from an editor who had demonstrated the necessity for “a strong free press to hold the souls of our political masters to the fire of public opinion”.After only three years in the editor’s chair Lewis admitted he was not “overly keen” on the story to begin with. The suggestion that a knight of the realm was claiming on MPs’ expenses for a duck house seemed as ridiculous as the infamous Hitler Diaries hoax.The disc had already been touted around and the Daily Telegraph was in fact the fifth newspaper to be offered a chance to buy it.  Lewis believed the scepticism of their editorial team served them well because it ensured their approach to the story was rigorous and meticulous. He was in no doubt that the results of their investigation last year “changed politics in Britain forever” and triggered a “a very British revolution” because a Speaker was forced to quit for the first time in 300 years.During questions Lewis agreed that the legacy of the Daily Telegraph’s story was that it contributed to a break down in trust between politicians and the voters. He thought it extraordinary that neither of the two main political parties had “sealed a deal” with the electorate. The narrowing in the polls contained a blunt message for party leaders.“If you want us to vote for you, you need to tell us what we will get for our votes...Please list the five things you will do otherwise you won’t get my vote”. Nicholas Jones 2.3.2010.