Leveson: Who guards the guardians?

Lord Justice Leveson has said his inquiry into press practices in light of the phone hacking scandal will aim to determine "who guards the guardians" in media regulation.

The appeal court judge, opening the inquiry in London this morning, said he considered freedom of expression and freedom of the press as "fundamental to democracy".

"But that right must be expressed with the rights of others in mind," he added.

Lord Leveson went on to say: "I have absolutely no wish to stifle freedom of speech or expression, but I anticipate that monitoring will take place of press coverage over the coming months and it might be necessary to conclude that those vital rights are being abused."