Peter Hill (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Peter Hill is a British journalist and a former editor of the Daily Express
Raised in Saddleworth
, he left Hulme Grammar School
at 15 and worked in a woollen mill before gaining employment in local papers in Yorkshire and the North West. He was a sub-editor on The Daily Telegraph
by 1969, but entered higher education in 1976 when he began a degree at Manchester University
in American Studies and political philosophy, but left after an attempt to drop the former subject was rejected. While doing his course he had continued to work in the newspaper industry at weekends, and returned to full-time employment by joining the newly launched Daily Star newspaper as a sub-editor.
Rising in status over the next two decades, he was appointed editor of the Daily Star in October 1998 by Lord Hollick
, the former owner of Express newspapers, Hill increased the Star' s circulation from 540,000 to 928,000, launched Daily Star Sunday, and became a What the Papers Say editor of the year award winner in January 2003. Developing a positive professional relationship with Richard Desmond
, after he had taken over Express Newspapers, led to a television advertising campaign, new sections, and the poaching of a football writer Brian Woolnough
from The Sun whose salary at £200,000 was greater than Hills.
Hill became editor of the Express in December 2003, taking over from Chris Williams
. Reportedly Hill alone, with Desmond's consent, chose to return the publication to being supportive of the Conservatives
after its period of support for New Labour
under Hollick and during the early Desmond years. During his time as editor, Hill continued his newspaper's preoccupation with the death of the Princess of Wales
and immigration, both editorial policies he thinks justifiable. Referring to the attitudes of his readers he was clear in a February 2011 Press Gazette interview: “I know they absolutely detest everything to do with the European Union. I know they’re deeply concerned about the enormous levels of immigration which have gone unchecked. I know they detest the idea of multiculturalism which is ghettoising the country.” On the Diana stories he was quoted by The Independent newspaper in 2006 as saying: "I can tell you that people want to read about the Diana conspiracy because the figures tell me that they do ...the more we write [the articles], the more they are turning out to be true."
One story the newspaper covered during Hill's tenure landed the publication with a successful claim for damages, the paper's insistence that the parents of Madeleine McCann
were responsible for their daughter's diappearance and other defamatory articles finally numbering about a hundred, but Hill asserted in February 2011 that he is remorseful. Peter Hill was a member of the Press Complaints Commission
from September 2003 until May 2008, a few months after the case brought by the McCanns; his role had been under review. Appearing before the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee in April 2009 he referred to the legal constraints imposed on newspapers: "We do not have a free press in this country by any means; we have a very, very shackled press in this country. Really you should be looking at means of removing those shackles not imposing more of them..."
His last day as Express editor was on 18 February 2011.
Daily Express
The Daily Express switched from broadsheet to tabloid in 1977 and was bought by the construction company Trafalgar House in the same year. Its publishing company, Beaverbrook Newspapers, was renamed Express Newspapers...
Raised in Saddleworth
Saddleworth
Saddleworth is a civil parish of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham in Greater Manchester, England. It comprises several villages and hamlets amongst the west side of the Pennine hills: Uppermill, Greenfield, Dobcross, Delph, Diggle and others...
, he left Hulme Grammar School
Hulme Grammar School
Hulme Grammar School is an independent grammar school situated on and around Chamber Road, about three-quarters of a mile south of the centre of Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, between Frederick Street and Windsor Road.-History:...
at 15 and worked in a woollen mill before gaining employment in local papers in Yorkshire and the North West. He was a sub-editor on The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
by 1969, but entered higher education in 1976 when he began a degree at Manchester University
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
in American Studies and political philosophy, but left after an attempt to drop the former subject was rejected. While doing his course he had continued to work in the newspaper industry at weekends, and returned to full-time employment by joining the newly launched Daily Star newspaper as a sub-editor.
Rising in status over the next two decades, he was appointed editor of the Daily Star in October 1998 by Lord Hollick
Clive Hollick, Baron Hollick
Clive Richard Hollick, Baron Hollick is a British businessman with media interests, and a noted supporter of the Labour party.- Early life and career :...
, the former owner of Express newspapers, Hill increased the Star
Richard Desmond
Richard Clive Desmond is an English publisher and businessman. He is the owner of Express Newspapers and founder in 1974 of Northern & Shell, which publishes various celebrity magazines, such as OK! and New!, and British national newspapers Daily Star and Daily Express...
, after he had taken over Express Newspapers, led to a television advertising campaign, new sections, and the poaching of a football writer Brian Woolnough
Brian Woolnough
Brian Woolnough is a British sports journalist, currently the Chief Sports writer for tabloid the Daily Star.Previously a writer for The Sun, in 1999 the Daily Mirror tried unsuccessfully to poach him...
from The Sun whose salary at £200,000 was greater than Hills.
Hill became editor of the Express in December 2003, taking over from Chris Williams
Chris Williams (journalist)
Chris Williams is a British journalist.A former editor of the Daily Express, he is currently editor of the Scottish Daily Mail-References:...
. Reportedly Hill alone, with Desmond's consent, chose to return the publication to being supportive of the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
after its period of support for New Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
under Hollick and during the early Desmond years. During his time as editor, Hill continued his newspaper's preoccupation with the death of the Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
and immigration, both editorial policies he thinks justifiable. Referring to the attitudes of his readers he was clear in a February 2011 Press Gazette interview: “I know they absolutely detest everything to do with the European Union. I know they’re deeply concerned about the enormous levels of immigration which have gone unchecked. I know they detest the idea of multiculturalism which is ghettoising the country.” On the Diana stories he was quoted by The Independent newspaper in 2006 as saying: "I can tell you that people want to read about the Diana conspiracy because the figures tell me that they do ...the more we write [the articles], the more they are turning out to be true."
One story the newspaper covered during Hill's tenure landed the publication with a successful claim for damages, the paper's insistence that the parents of Madeleine McCann
Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
Madeleine McCann disappeared on the evening of Thursday, 3 May 2007. She was on holiday with her parents and twin siblings in the Algarve region of Portugal. The British girl went missing from an apartment, in the central area of the resort of Praia da Luz, a few days before her fourth...
were responsible for their daughter's diappearance and other defamatory articles finally numbering about a hundred, but Hill asserted in February 2011 that he is remorseful. Peter Hill was a member of the Press Complaints Commission
Press Complaints Commission
The Press Complaints Commission is a voluntary regulatory body for British printed newspapers and magazines, consisting of representatives of the major publishers. The PCC is funded by the annual levy it charges newspapers and magazines...
from September 2003 until May 2008, a few months after the case brought by the McCanns; his role had been under review. Appearing before the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee in April 2009 he referred to the legal constraints imposed on newspapers: "We do not have a free press in this country by any means; we have a very, very shackled press in this country. Really you should be looking at means of removing those shackles not imposing more of them..."
His last day as Express editor was on 18 February 2011.