Law needed for press (From York Press)
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Law needed for press
7:20am Saturday 15th December 2012 in Letters By Reader's letter
I SEE Terry Smith is against control of the press. Even grosser still is the advert in The Press of December 12 on the same subject: “Yes... even phone-hacking was a scandal revealed by a newspaper.”
Excuse me – but wasn’t that a crime perpetrated for and on behalf of a newspaper?
If the press is not regulated by law, then it is lawless. There is no such thing as independent regulation – he who pays the piper calls the tune.
Ken Barnes, North View, Catterton.
• Editor’s note: Lord Justice Leveson praised local newspapers in his report into the ethics and culture of the press, saying their contribution to local life was “truly without parallel”.
Comments(7)
inthesticks
says...
10:29am Sat 15 Dec 12
There`s no wonder that people are starting to think that an elected person has more influence than they should over the local media. I know it must be hard to strike a balance but YP have got it wrong at the moment. It is making YP look bad and also COYC.
There is a letter about pay for apprentices at the council, why on earth are we not allowed to comment on that? It`s ridiculous. I was going to make points about the level of pay which is set by the government, which may have been in defence of the council, but stifling comments doesn`t allow the public to see other views on the matter.
I am not one to slag off people and certainly don`t agree with personal comments about people`s weight etc. but people who put themselves in public office have to accept criticism and sometimes public anger over their decisions and if they can`t then they are in the wrong job.
cityforthepremier
says...
11:02am Sat 15 Dec 12
They obviously didn't read your letters page then because, if they had, they would have come to the same conclusion as the rest of us. That the local paper is the natural home of the mentally ill.
capt spaulding
says...
11:41am Sat 15 Dec 12
cityforthepremier wrote:cityof thepremier wrote this when matron wasnt looking.
"Lord Justice Leveson praised local newspapers in his report into the ethics and culture of the press, saying their contribution to local life was “truly without parallel”. "
They obviously didn't read your letters page then because, if they had, they would have come to the same conclusion as the rest of us. That the local paper is the natural home of the mentally ill.
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
12:38pm Sat 15 Dec 12
old_geezer
says...
4:14pm Sat 15 Dec 12
So what's the difference? Leveson proposes that an independent regulator operate within a statutory framework. That is not state regulation, still less censorship - but it does give the proposed new body more teeth than the almost-useless PCC.
roobarb85
says...
6:38pm Sat 15 Dec 12
If you put yourself up for public office, you must expect strident examination of your words and deeds.
Isn't that what active democracy is all about?
If you believe in your words and deeds then they'll stand up to scrutiny won't they?
Of course, comments on a person's appearance etc are not on - but the Press website surely has a moderator who can remove any such pdq.
Let's have healthy debate - you do want more than 35% to turn up at the next election? Then show people it's worthwhile expressing their view!!
capt spaulding says...
9:19am Sat 15 Dec 12
Highlighted by the fact that anything to do with these two is not given the
(Your Say) box.
One might start to think that the leader of the Council is able to exercise undue influence with editorial decisions ?
I do hope not.