In July 2011, the News of the World, a popular tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom, published a groundbreaking story that shook the country to its core. The news outlet reported that murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s phone had been hacked by private investigators working for the paper, leading to widespread outrage and condemnation.
This revelation was just the beginning of a series of investigations and scandals that would ultimately lead to the introduction of a new law aimed at protecting children from predatory sex offenders. This law, known as Sarah’s Law, was named after eight-year-old Sarah Payne, who was abducted and murdered by a convicted sex offender in 2000.
The News of the World’s investigations into Dowler’s murder uncovered a culture of illegal phone hacking and unethical journalism practices within the newspaper. As public outrage grew, it was revealed that the paper had also hacked the phones of several other high-profile individuals, including celebrities and politicians.
The scandal eventually led to the closure of the News of the World in July 2011, as well as numerous arrests and convictions of key figures in the case. The Leveson Inquiry, a public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press, was also established in the wake of the scandal.
But perhaps the most significant outcome of the News of the World investigations was the passing of Sarah’s Law. The law allows parents to inquire about individuals who have regular contact with their children, to see if they have a history of child sex offences. This information is provided by the police on a confidential basis, so that parents can make informed decisions about their children’s safety.
Sarah’s Law was first introduced in England and Wales in 2008, following a successful pilot scheme in four police areas. The law has since been expanded to include all police forces in the country, as well as in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The passing of Sarah’s Law was a direct result of the shocking revelations uncovered by the News of the World’s investigations. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of investigative journalism in holding the powerful to account and bringing about positive change.
While the closure of the News of the World marked the end of an era for tabloid journalism in the UK, the legacy of its investigations lives on in the form of Sarah’s Law. Thanks to the tireless efforts of journalists and campaigners, children across the country are now better protected from the threat of sexual predators.