Am I alone in wondering why Lord Justice Leveson was asked to report on the Press only for the Government to state that it will just pick out the bits they like. As Hacked Off director Professor Natalie Fenton said: "It is a charade for the politicians and the editors to get together and pick out some of the recommendations and say these are acceptable or not and take out the heart and soul of the Leveson recommendations which provide the backbone for establishing a fair system going forward." or as Professor Brian Cathcart, professor of journalism at Kingston University and co-founder of Hacked Off, said: "Leveson did not expect or intend his plan to be picked apart, to be treated like an a-la-carte menu”
Obviously there is great public support for better control of the press which is highlighted by the number who have already signed the “Hacked Of” petition which. at the time of writing, amounts to 143,352. You can sign it here
Nice one Father. It is interesting that the PM doesn't want statutory provision. I wonder if he has his wires crossed!
ReplyDeleteParallel to Synod? Those in favour of women bishops don't want statutory provision for the trads. and will leave it to the bishops to be nice and respectful - some hope!!
ReplyDeleteGive politicians an inch of control and sooner or later they will take a mile. Imagine a time in the not too distant future when a religious newspaper is hauled up before Ofcom or the instrument of ‘statutory underpinning’ to answer complaints against its criticism of gay marriage and opposition to women’s ordination. Or maybe the prospect of such action deters it from publishing such views. At that point you might regret your previous enthusiasm, Fr.
ReplyDeleteThe press have had ample opportunity over many years to regulate themselves - both before, and since, December 1991 when David Mellor famously referred to the "last chance saloon". They have singularly failed.
DeleteWe are all subject to regulation in most aspects of our lives. It is known as the rule of law. Those of us who live within its limitations have nothing to fear. If we step outside then we risk the sanction of legal action, including prosecution.
Much is made of "press freedom". Freedom is not an absolute. Our cherished personal freedoms are execised (normally) within the limits of the law. What we now need is to ensure that such things as character assassination by innuendo is a thing of the past, and that people's genuine privacy is respected.