The members of the International Press Institute (IPI), meeting at their 60th Annual General Assembly during the IPI World Congress on 26 September 2011 in Taipei, Taiwan, adopted by unanimous vote a resolution calling on the UK government to safeguard press freedom in the wake of the News of the World hacking scandal.

While the IPI members recognised the need for self-scrutiny in the media industry following the phone hacking revelations, they expressed serious concern at the statements and actions of the British government and authorities in the aftermath of the affair.

The IPI members were particularly alarmed at suggestions by the British prime minister, David Cameron, that statutory regulation might become a necessity. The IPI members also were concerned at a request – made under the Official Secrets Act – by the Metropolitan Police that the Guardian newspaper reveal its source for a story about the alleged hacking of the phone of a teenage female murder victim. Following an outcry from the media and press freedom organisations, the request was withdrawn.

IPI members also expressed concern at the example being set by the British authorities which authoritarian governments throughout the world may be prompted to emulate.