British government imposes tough control on British Press
Bohdan TSIUPYN: “It is impossible to improve the professional level of press by introducing any laws and regulations”
British government will create a special agency that will regulate the press. This solution was proposed last year by Lord Brian Levenson Commission, engaged in investigating the incident with the tabloid The News of the World, whose journalists hacked cell phones and bribed police. Immediately after the scandal which was later called Rupertgate or Murdochgate (from the name of the owner of the publication, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch), British community started the debate on excess of power by journalists. The newspaper was closed down. The culmination of the entire situation was the decision of the British Parliament regarding this. As reported by the BBC, the new regulatory agency will have the authority to impose fines of up to one million pounds and force publishers to issue immediate apology for wrongful publications.
Prime Minister of Great Britain David Cameron said that this institution will be financed from independent sources. Moreover, it will have to establish a quick system of dealing with complaints. The text of the Charter on New Media Regulation will be approved in May at a secret meeting of the Royal Council, without prior consideration of the Parliament.
Ukrainian journalist in London Bohdan TSIUPYN told The Day about the reaction of the newsmen in Britain to the additional lever of controlling their work:
“British newspapers are concerned about this innovation. Most newspapers have not yet expressed their willingness to join this self-regulatory body. Newsmen say that the British legislation on the press ‘has worked fine until now.’ This means that, in their opinion, there have been no big problems even though some shortcomings and scandals had place like the one that resulted in closing down the newspaper News of the World. Instead, the journalists say that for over 100 years Britain has had strong independent press, which, despite all sorts of errors and violations of the law (which happens in any field), was of greater benefit to the democracy and society in general. When News of the World was closing, in the last issue the journalists traced the history of their publication and provided the examples of what crimes were revealed by the newspaper, how many cases have been commenced, and who was punished for the wrong doings. Therefore, this medal has two sides, according to the journalists.”
Will the new regulatory agency threaten the freedom of speech in the UK?
“British press is still very powerful and authoritative. Currently, there are no obvious threats that would cause protests among journalists. However, there are concerns about possibility of such threats. That’s why, still a lot has to be done before the Parliament’s decision will be finally adopted.
“However, this initiative has quite useful ideas that cause no objections from newspapermen. For example, the requirement to publish an apology for false information on the front page. Or the suggestion to expedite the procedure for dealing with complaints and make it less expensive.”
The theses to the creation of this agency says that it will promote higher standards of quality journalism. Is it really so?
“It is impossible to improve the professional level of press by introducing any laws and regulations. The main criterion of professionalism and success of the newspaper is its audience. The demand of the reading audience defines its level.”
