Mass media, justice and me: a victim’s perspective

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Step into the lives of those whose pursuit of justice collided with the power of the press. This thought-provoking event brings together victims, legal experts, media voices and policymakers to explore how mass media can illuminate and distort the path to justice.

Through personal stories, panel debate and audience engagement, we’ll confront the good, the bad and the deeply complex issue of mass media – and its role in the pursuit of justice.

Meet our speakers and chair

Jo Hamilton is a former sub-postmaster and ardent campaigner for victims of the British Post Office scandal. One of over 1,000 people instructed by Hudgell Solicitors to help clear their names. Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours. Named by the Independent newspaper as one of the 50th Most Influential Women in 2024. Played by Monica Dolan in the four-part Mr Bates v The Post Office, watched by over 13.5million people.

Martin Hibbert is a Manchester Arena bomb survivor left paralysed from the waist down. Recently Martin won a landmark High Court harassment case in October 2024 against conspiracy theorist Richard Hall, who falsely claimed the Manchester Arena bombing was staged. He is Vice president of the Spinal Injuries Association and a motivational speaker and activist, raising awareness in the media and parliament on behalf of people suffering with spinal cord injuries and others injured in the Manchester Arena bombing.

Neil Hudgell is the founder and Executive Chairman of Hudgell Solicitors, a nationally recognised law firm celebrated for its unwavering commitment to justice, accountability, and client care. Since establishing the firm in 1997, Neil has built a reputation as a fearless advocate for those failed by powerful institutions — from victims of wrongful conviction to families affected by public tragedies

Nicola Lacey is School Professor of Law, Gender and Social Policy. From 1998 to 2010 she held a Chair in Criminal Law and Legal Theory at LSE; she returned to LSE in 2013 after spending three years as Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, and Professor of Criminal Law and Legal Theory at the University of Oxford.

Janet Street-Porter (CBE) is a writer, broadcaster and former editor of The Independent on Sunday. She originally studied architecture, before starting her journalistic career iin her early twenties as a columnist and fashion editor, moving into television and radio as a presenter and a senior executive at the BBC. Janet has won numerous awards including Columnist of the Year, the Prix Italia for arts programming and a BAFTA for originality.

Olivia O’Kane is partner at Lewis Silkin and head of media practice in Belfast and Dublin. Specialist adviser to publishers, tech platforms, broadcasters, and public figures.  She is a Solicitor Advocate and a specialist litigator, with an expertise in online anonymity, harassment, and media law, and regularly provides content clearance advice.

Coretta Phillips is a Professor of Criminology and Social Policy. She joined the Department of Social Policy in September 2001, and has been involved in teaching both Criminology and Social Policy in the department at BSc, MSc, and PhD levels. Coretta is a member of the Mannheim Centre for Criminology.