Harriet Harman insists Britain needs a free press
UK: Harriet Harman yesterday pleaded with ministers not to
bring in laws to stifle Press freedom. The Shadow Culture Secretary
warned government interference of newspapers would destroy democracy as
we know it.
There are fears some politicians will use the outcome of the Leveson
Inquiry into media ethics to push for laws curbing press reporting. Ms
Harman said it “might come as a surprise” that she is in favour of a
free Press after being the subject of repeated media attacks during her
30 years in politics. But she added: “I have spent enough time in
opposition to dread the thought of the Government interfering in the
Press.
“And I’ve spent enough time in Government to recognise Government
power is dangerous if not held to account by the Press. “Politicians
should be the first to understand politics cannot operate in a democracy
without a free Press.” But Ms Harman also called on editors to agree a
new code of practice.
She claimed the Press Complaints Commission no longer served readers
and it was time for a “fresh start”. But Ms Harman said self-regulation
must come with a guarantee that all people, not just the rich and
powerful, have the right to challenge reports. Mirror.UK |