Prince Harry has secured a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper group, News Group Newspapers , which publishes The Sun. The publisher has admitted to unlawful actions and agreed to a substantial damages payment, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over privacy and press conduct.
The lawsuit, initiated by Prince Harry, accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011 and intruding into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana. This settlement is reported to be over £10 million, primarily covering legal fees. NGN issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life, acknowledging the actions of private investigators employed by the newspaper.
This case is part of a broader series of legal actions taken by Prince Harry against British media outlets. Previously, he has pursued successful litigation against Mirror Group Newspapers, and there is a pending action against the publisher of the Daily Mail. The settlement with NGN is seen as a significant victory, with Harry planning to pressure politicians and police to revisit the scandal.
The phone-hacking scandal, which emerged in 2006, led to arrests and the closure of News of the World in 2011. NGN has settled claims from over 1,300 individuals, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion. The company aims to finalize all disputes without trial, continuing its longstanding commitment to settle justified claims.
This legal victory is seen as a significant step in holding media organizations accountable for unlawful practices and protecting individual privacy rights. It also highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing press freedom with the need for ethical journalism.
