MEDIA: Move to control use of information

The Government has announced sweeping proposals to control the use of personal information which could have huge implications for the media.

The directive, which covers the way information is gathered, processed and stored, would give a statutory "right to privacy with respect to the processing of personal data" and give individuals the general right of access to personal data held on them.

It also introduces a specific statutory obligation, backed up by the courts, for individuals to be told who is processing their data - a phrase, which officials say should catch "foot-in-the-door" journalism and long- range photos of celebrities.

The proposals were published by the Home Office under a Brussels directive which has to be introduced throughout the European Union next year.