Press freedom
After Leveson and McCluskey, does Alex Salmond believe in the freedom of the press?
So, it seems some kind of torturous “deal” has been reached in London on how best to regulate the press in the future. If David Cameron’s proposals for a Royal… Continue reading
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Democracy is shooting itself in the foot with this emotional Leveson debate
The breakdown of cross-party talks today seems to be creating a make or break moment for the basic principle of press freedom. But Cameron’s proposal to hold a vote on… Continue reading
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Lib Dems and Labour concerned by Tory Leveson Royal Charter plans
Does the Royal Charter, published by the Conservative party this afternoon, take politicians any further away from meddling with press regulation? The charter is the Tory answer to the statutory… Continue reading
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Cross-party consensus on Leveson tested with Royal Charter plan
The Conservatives publish their plans for a Royal Charter to underpin regulation of the press today. Although the cross-party talks have been more successful than most imagined, with no rows… Continue reading
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Every tabloid’s worst nightmare
What would George Orwell write about today? asked the Guardian. Here’s our nomination: an EU report that recommends giving the EU more powers to sack hacks, regulate the press and… Continue reading
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Who speaks for the British press?
At the end of the editors’ meeting in 10 Downing St today, there was an awkward moment when someone asked if the past hour had been on or off the… Continue reading
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Ed Miliband's Leveson response shows his weakness: he's a follower, not a leader. - Spectator Blogs
The biggest risk in punditry is the determination to see what you want to see. Confirmation bias is an ever-present clear and present danger to solid thinking. Nevertheless, though keeping… Continue reading
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Government to draft legislation on Leveson recommendations
The first of many cross-party discussions on the response to the Leveson Inquiry lasted 30 minutes last night. The ‘frank’ meeting resulted in David Cameron agreeing to draft bill to… Continue reading
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Press freedom has just acquired its most important defender: David Cameron
For precisely 99 minutes yesterday, it looked like press freedom in Britain was doomed. At 1.30pm Lord Leveson announced his plans for statutory regulation of the press – with his… Continue reading
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The View from 22 — Broken Britain, Osborne on the up and Spectator says no to a state-licensed press
Has national politics in Britain given up on the North of England? In this week’s cover feature, director of Policy Exchange Neil O’Brien argues that very little is being currently done… Continue reading
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The Coalition split over Leveson
I’m informed by someone involved in the coalition negotiations on the issue that the reason the Liberal Democrats want to be able to make their own statement on the Leveson… Continue reading
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Lib Dems seek alternative Leveson statement slot
As teams in secure rooms in Downing Street pore over the half dozen copies of the Leveson report, which arrived this morning, the Liberal Democrats are already starting to work… Continue reading
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Cameron to receive Leveson report as Tory party splits on press regulation
David Cameron will receive his copy of the Leveson report later today, and will meet twice with Nick Clegg to discuss its contents: once this evening, and again as part… Continue reading
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True Tories want a press that is free but accountable
Is the idea of any form of statute relating to the press inimical to liberty and therefore incompatible with Conservative belief? Fraser Nelson argues that it is but it is… Continue reading
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Tory MPs vs free press
How strong is the Conservative commitment to liberty? Today’s Guardian front page holds the answer. A long line of Tory MPs have written to the newspaper, calling for the Prime… Continue reading
150 Comments What next for the gutter press?
Lord Leveson will be publishing his recommendations for the future of press regulation very soon, and those on both sides of the debate are getting nervous. The Hacked Off campaign… Continue reading
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Harry snaps expose Leveson’s regulatory headache
Prince Harry’s naked outing on the front page of today’s Sun has already prompted 60 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission about a breach of the Prince’s privacy. It also illustrates… Continue reading
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Lord Leveson’s generation game
It was back to the future at the Leveson inquiry today, as Sir John Major suggested how the press might be regulated. He was calm and confident, launching the odd… Continue reading
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Clarke goes OTT
Today’s award for hyperbole goes to Ken Clarke. He has just told the Leveson inquiry that, ‘The power of the press is far greater than the power of parliament.’ Given… Continue reading
29 CommentsChris Huhne makes a Tweet of himself
Chris Huhne has fallen into the Twitter direct message trap. I’ve done it myself.* When you think you’re privately messaging someone then — horror! — it is broadcast to the… Continue reading
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