Live webchat with Hugh Grant (!!!) about the Leveson report and press reform, Monday 10 December, 8pm

[JustineMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that sleb-actor-turned-campaigner Hugh Grant (yes it's Hugh ) is joining us for a webchat tonight, Monday, December 10 at 8pm.

Hugh keen to talk to us about the Leveson report and press reform. As you probably know he's been a prominent member of Hacked Off, and before that was best known for his quintessential English gent roles in movies such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually.

Hacked Off is an alliance of victims of press abuse, journalists, academics, lawyers and others who successfully campaigned for a public inquiry into the phone hacking scandal.

And now that the inquiry's been held (by Lord Leveson), Hacked Off wants all Leveson's recommendations for press reform implemented.

(This webchat is focused on Leveson, so we hope you'll understand that Hugh will prioritising Qs about that ahead of Qs about his career/personal life/choice of biscuits - although, if there's time, he will do his best to address a few of those too.)

So, join us and Hugh, online at 8pm tonight. If you can't make it then, you can post up advance questions on this thread.

He's here . Just having a little plate of sushi and then we'll be away.

OOOoooooooOOOOOOOOOOooooooooh !

What? No gregs sausage rolls?

Sushi!!

Hi Hugh ?

Which 2 minutes of acting have been your favourite/ best moments ?

Hello, here I am. Very nice of Mumsnet to have me. Slightly anxious, be kind to me.

Marking place. This issue is so interesting and increasingly important.

Welcome!! We are delighted to have you!

::swoons::

(If he doesn't say the dancing in Love Actually was a highlight I shall )

Hello!

Hi Hugh.

Be honest - you're among feisty women friends here:

Did you ever try on That Dress?

Follow-up, if appl: So, how did it look?

I don't think he's here to talk about acting....

Kiss me Hugh, Kiss me, just once !

Hello! Welcome!

Hi!

@PetiteRaleuse

Sorry, I know I'm breaking the guidelines by asking another question. But do you think the web news and social media, blogs, forums etc, should be subject to the same scrutiny and regulations as the press or would this be unworkable in practice?

I'll shut up now.

Good question. I agree with Leveson on this. That unless the website is big, powerful and commercial it should not be subject to any new regulator. Justine says Mumsnet is very poor and therefore off the hook.

Hello. It's our pleasure to have you Most of us are actually quite kind - just mind out for the vipers!

Hugh, I really really hope you answer my question, as posing it is the only sensible thing I have done all week

Hurry up with that bloody sushi (Tesco's Finest?)

DarkesteyesMon 10-Dec-12 17:11:24

Hi Hugh. I too hate the celebrity culture the way it is today. And think it is absolutely ridiculous, unnecessary and damaging.
But i would like to ask you this.
What is your opinion on the way people like Dacre and his "newspaper" and other publications who persecute not only yourselves but the people who cant fight back ,either because they cant afford to or are simply too ill.
Because of their hate stories towards disabled people on benefits like DLA and ESA disability hate crime is on the rise. I think this was discussed at Leveson but only briefly.
I believe there is a link between the hate stories and the way disabled and ill people are now being targeted.
They run stories saying that "75% of people are faking it" but the actual figure from the DWP on DLA on this is 0.5% That includes both fraud and error.
There is also the way they love to paint the picture of unemployed people as scroungers. They seem to ignore the fact that we are in the biggest recession in living memory.
The unemployed are another group they demonize that cant afford to fight back.
Easy safe targets. And unfortunately certain sections of the public dont recognize propaganda when they see it. Hence the rise in the hate crimes.

One question, Erm...
Will you marry me?

Not that poor. You got sushi. Goldie Hawn only got an egg sandwich.

Hi Hugh!

At one point it looked like David Cameron was willing to split up the coalition in order to defend the "freedom of the press" over effective regulation. How disappointing do you find his response? Do you think the extemities of media intrusion and manipulation uncovered by Leveson have fallen on deaf ears?

Hi Hugh, glad to have you here! Why do you think Piers Morgan has not yet been charged with perjury??