Rowling to UK govt: Don't let down hacking victims

The Associated Press, Sunday, March 17, 2013, 4:41am (PDT)

LONDON (AP) — J.K. Rowling and Hugh Grant are among the celebrities accusing the British government of letting down the victims of media hacking. They want lawmakers to back new measures to rein in Britain's unruly press.

Legislators are due to vote Monday on rival plans for tougher controls in the wake of the country's phone-hacking scandal.

The Conservative-led government says it will propose a new press watchdog, but hacking victims say the regulator must be backed by an act of Parliament.

"Harry Potter" author Rowling — who has spoken of the media's impact on her family — said Sunday that she and other victims felt they "have been hung out to dry" by the government.

Grant said hacking victims would support plans by the Liberal Democrats and Labour for stronger media measures.