IN DEFENCE OF THE PRESS
THE UK HAS SLIPPED to 40th place in the global rankings for press freedom and is one of the worst in Europe, according to the latest World Press Freedom Index. The country is 18 places lower than when the list was first published in 2002. Hard line policies of successive governments and a general climate of hostility towards the editorial media have compounded the chipping away at previously revered rights of expression and unfettered discussion.
Historically, the UK became the cradle of free elucidation. Now it is Scandinavian countries that show the greatest respect for the work of journalists. Bottom of the worldwide league table, by the way, is North Korea: no surprise there.
More and more democratically elected leaders deny a traditional role of the press in underpinning democracy. Rather, they see it as an adversary, a stance typified by the twitterings of self-proclaimed media basher Donald Trump.
A clear indicator of the importance of a free press is that when anti-democratic forces take over a country or region, their likely first act is to muzzle the media.
HATRED
Unleashing of hatred towards journalists is one of the worst hindrances to democracy and the line separating verbal violence from physical harm is being breached. In the Philippines, its President has warned reporters that they are “not exempted from assassination”.
Then, there is a constant attack from Russia, waging a systematic campaign of disinformation and propaganda leading to the widespread, out-of-control sharing of fake news. One result is a further weakening of the integrity of genuine information organs.
Back to Britain and an alarming proposal by the Law Commission would introduce a new-version Espionage Act that could make it relatively easy to jail journalists for up to 14 years, if found guilty of accepting leaked information. Already, the Investigatory Power Act is pointed directly at journalists and their sources. There are many more threats and restrictions on a darkening horizon.
The frequent issuing of divisive press regulations continues to pose a threat to the fundamentals of independence of thought and the upholding of rights in the UK. We should be setting standards, not smashing them.
STANDARDS
Of course, the press must act responsibly. Maintaining standards, it has to report in a calm, dispassionate manner, devoid of unnecessary intrusiveness, blatant rumour mongering and harmful bias. Absolute freedom? In no way can that be advocated. Freedom is a matter of degree. But long-standing laws are available to punish transgressors. Inquiries such as Leveson were nothing more than political panderings, many have claimed.
Working within reasonable law, a free press is fundamental to an open society. It seeks out and distributes information, ideas and opinions that hold those in authority to account, as a kind of people’s parliament: a human right.
It is a steadying platform from which a multiplicity of voices can be heard. Not only is it an activist and watchdog, it’s an educator and entertainer. It gives us the current picture of real life.
Curtailing the robust activities of the news media throws up unwanted winners such as vested interests, monopolies and globalisation. Worse still, it provides a protective blanket for power abusers, dishonest politicians, despotic governments and tyrannical rulers.
Experienced, skilled journalists perform a vital function. They give readers, viewers and listeners the means to know more about whatever is of concern, wherever in the world. They are on ‘our’ side.
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