Is it possible to regulate the press but still uphold its freedom, asks Iain Goldrein QC
It is arguable that without Millie Dowler there would have been no inquiry into the culture, practice and ethics of the press. Given the context, the Leveson Inquiry has brought to bear a sharp focus as to the shortcomings of the press. Press regulation, however, cannot ignore the role played by a free press in policing the integrity of our society. If we focus unduly on the negatives, without factoring in sufficiently the positives, we are at risk of sublimating the good through a disproportionate pre-occupation with the bad. According to Mark Antony in Julius Caesar: “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”
We need to address the evil, but not at the expense of the good.
Primary issues regarding press regulation
The issues appear to be:
- the independence of the regulatory body;
- the independence of its membership;
- finance;
- disclosure;
- ease of access by the consumer;
- enforcement
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