Post Brexit To-Do List

Pacifico

I wouldnt support censorship of the media - a free press is essential for democracy

richp007

Neither does anyone I imagine. He has a good point about it being re-examined.

They have a responsibility, something they appear to be increasingly forgetting about.

krish

They appear to find Markle's family relationships of great importance, while happy to bury Airmiles Andy's dubious associations with paedophiles and dictators

richp007

That's getting buried mate. There's barely even a mention of Epstein either now.

richp007

And the Markle's have just made it onto Question Time.

Pacifico

What do you mean by 're-examined'? - who is going to do this re-examining?

Why not just call it what it is.

krish

Don't tell me they're mentioning Markle more than Merkel

richp007

Markle trumps Merkel and Marvel.

Derek S-H

We frequently discuss transparency and accountability when it comes to all kinds of bodies and organisations, why should the press/media be any different?

We already have internal investigations for MP's and the Police conduct and standards, neither of which are truly independent and are frequently just cover ups. The press are even worse because they can basically print lies and ruin lives, and there's no comeback other than the legal route.

I do believe in a free press, but I also believe in responsibility, accountability and a decent set of minimum standards. What good purpose does running a story about Ben Stokes' family history serve? Or calling Remain-supporting MP's "Traitors"?

We're very good at setting up bodies who examine other bodies in this country (with fairly mixed results, it must be said). I'm sure we can find a way to create another body to oversee media behaviour that's truly independent, though I'm sure the press would kick up a fuss about it and start bleating about censorship.

As they say on "Star Trek": "With great power comes great responsibility" (or maybe they stole that from somewhere else); the press seem to want the power but abdicate responsibility and hide behind arguments about freedom.

Pacifico

Well Singapore are doing exactly what you suggest with regards to social media (they already have restrictions on the press). The fact is that if you give such powers to politicians then of course politicians are going to use them. Why do you think people go into government if it’s not to have power over people and society?

'Chilling': Singapore's 'fake news’ law comes into effect