Photograph by Jon Smith
Britain has had a free press for 300 years, and whilst illegal activity at newspapers, such as phone hacking, should be prosecuted under the law, that is not a reason to limit such a basic right as freedom of the press.
If someone commits a crime whilst at a newspaper then they should face trial and if guilty then go to prison just as any other individual committing that crime would do. Similarly, if there is a culture of criminality at a newspaper, as has been alleged at News of the World, then the company should also be prosecuted for either direct or vicarious involvement in the crimes. We already have laws to prosecute such issues, and we do not need extra laws to govern criminality in newspapers more than in any other industry.
The major area where newspapers can cause different issues to other industries is with libel cases, and an individual should be given redress against any such false claims printed. However, with the internet allowing anyone to publish such material, and offering individuals and small organisations audiences which could cause similar grievances, we should be looking to amend our libel laws, not limiting the freedom of the press.
It should not matter if it is a broadsheet like the Guardian, a tabloid like the Sun, a digital-only newspaper like us at the Descrier, or an individual blogger that libels someone – the law needs to be sufficiently flexible to address all of these different applications.
Hacked Off have been important in pushing towards prosecution for those who hacked the phones of celebrities and members of the public, and rightly so. However, as those that are alleged to have hacked phones, or run news organisations that pushed its employees to do so are now facing criminal prosecution – Hacked Off’s job is done. There was corruption at the highest levels, with police officers allegedly on the payroll of newspapers, and politicians too scared to speak up for their constituents against the power of Rupert Murdoch, but most of those involved now face trial and possible prison sentences.
Politicians are looking to punish the press for their criminality, but also for highlighting the cowardice of those in Westminster. The reporters, editors, and police involved in the scandal all face criminal prosecution, but politicians failing to stand up to the media shows a contempt for their constituents that is yet to be addressed. Cracking down hard on the press and forcing new regulations, is nothing more than politicians looking to keep their distance from the blame rather than facing their own failings.
