More than 100 prominent people from literature, the arts, science, academia, human rights and the law have signed a declaration urging newspaper and magazine publishers to embrace the royal charter system of press regulation.
They join people who have been victims of press misbehaviour in arguing that charter will give "vital protection to the vulnerable" from abuse of power by the press.
The signatories include broadcasters Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Rory Bremner. Actor Emma Thompson has signed, as have Professor Richard Dawkins and Sir Jonathan Miller.
Several film directors are on the list, such as Stephen Frears, Alan Parker, Mike Leigh, Beeban Kidron, Guy Ritchie, Stephen Daldry, Bill Forsyth, Peter Kosminsky, Terry Gilliam and Michael Apted.
Among the writers and playwrights are Alan Bennett, William Boyd, Alan Ayckbourn, Tom Stoppard, Monica Ali, Helen Fielding, Michael Frayn, Ian McEwan, A C Grayling, David Hare, Alan Hollinghurst, JK Rowling, Salman Rushdie, Willy Russell, Claire Tomalin and Irvine Welsh.
Comedians are represented by John Cleese, Terry Jones, Victoria Wood, John Bishop, Rufus Hound and Marcus Brigstocke. James Blunt is the sole singer.
Four leading lawyers have also signed: Helena Kennedy, Michael Mansfield, Geoffrey Bindman and John Bowers.
And there are a handful of journalists: Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, an Independent columnist; Nick Davies and Polly Toynbee of The Guardian; former Observer and Independent writer Neal Ascherson; and the former Sun editor David Yelland.
The launch of the declaration is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the publication of the Leveson report.
The full declaration, which was co-ordinated by the victims' body Hacked Off, states:
"We believe that a free press is a cornerstone of democracy. It should be fearless in exposing corruption, holding the powerful to account and championing the powerless. It has nothing to lose, and can only be enhanced, by acknowledging unethical practice in its midst and acting firmly to ensure it is not repeated.
We also believe that editors and journalists will rise in public esteem when they accept a form of self-regulation that is independently audited on the lines recommended by Lord Justice Leveson and laid down in the royal charter of 30 October 2013.
It is our view that this charter safeguards the press from political interference while also giving vital protection to the vulnerable. That is why we support it and that is why we urge newspaper publishers to embrace it."
Hacked Off's director, Brian Cathcart, said: "Leading figures in free expression and this country's cultural life, like the public, are expecting change in the conduct of the press and are backing the royal charter as the only credible way to deliver it.
"It is time for newspaper publishers to put aside groundless claims of a threat to free expression, embrace the improvements offered under the royal charter system and rebuild the public's trust."
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