Press regulation deal struck by parties

[LeftishBrit]

A deal has been struck between the three main political parties on a new press regulation regime in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.

An independent regulator will be set up by royal charter with powers to impose million pound fines on UK publishers and demand upfront apologies from them.

Party leaders told MPs the charter would preserve press freedom and protect victims of press intrusion.

Many of the major newspapers said they needed time to study the details...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21825823

[non sociopath skin]

1. Do we want newspapers in the hands of politicians or Press Lords?

It's like choosing between being shot or stabbed.

The Skin

[LeftishBrit]

2. The way things are now, the politicians are in the hands of the press lords.

Government-controlled media is bad, but so is media-controlled government. I would say that over the years, Murdoch and the other tabloid barons have harmed our country more than any individual politician. Even Thatcher could never have got so far without their support.

I would support an independent regulatory body, but one with more teeth than the PPC seems to have had. Maybe the current proposals will be the solution; maybe they won't. Time will tell.