British press freedom is under international scrutiny – and with good reason

This week, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers has dispatched a delegation of editors and publishers from as far apart as Pakistan, Canada, Denmark and Uruguay. Its mission is not to some far-off nation or dictatorship, but to the UK. The mission was originally motivated by concerns over the royal charter and the planned new system for press regulation. The delegation's agenda quickly expanded to include an examination of the hostile response to the Guardian's reporting on the Snowden leaks, which in many ways is far more worrying.

There has been considerable controversy over press regulation in England and Wales. Although effective self-regulation should always be the preferred method of press regulation, other models are compatible with international law provided they include adequate safeguards for press freedom. For example, Denmark, Ireland and Finland all have regulatory mechanisms premised on legislation that provide effective support for a robust and independent press.

The current system has failed to ensure the accountability and transparency of the press. The phone-hacking scandal made this quite clear and underscored that change was needed. Now that we have change, which on the face of it provides effective safeguards against political interference, parties should focus their energy on making the system meaningful and functional. The government must be clear in its message that the charter does not usher in political control, but safeguards against it.

In addition, it must be a committed vocal advocate for press freedom. Sadly, such commitment has been lacking in recent months. The reaction to certain stories in the Guardian are a case in point.


http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/british-press-freedom-international-scrutiny-guardian-snowden-leaks