Abstract
From the British Journalism Review of 10 years ago (vol. 18, issue no 1, 2007)
‘On Friday January 19… a private member's bill, the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, slipped through the Commons on the nod for its second reading. Its apparent purpose is to prevent MPs’ letters to constituents being released to the public. What it would actually do is exempt Parliament from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act…’
Those intent on curtailing media freedom are not gathering quietly to sneak in through the back door. Watch out for a sledgehammer.
– BJR editorial
‘“I looked at whether a form of privacy law would be practicable and I reached the conclusion that it wouldn't be. I reached that conclusion because I couldn't see how you could frame a law which would protect traditional press freedom and also protect the general public. so we didn't do it. That raises the question of whether self-regulation is working as well as it could, and I don't know that there are many people who think that it is… It could be done by agreement if the press agrees a code of conduct and agrees to abide by it – and I would prefer to avoid legislation.’
“I don't think I handled the press very well,” he says now – and he uses that precise phrase three times.
– Former prime minister John Major, interviewed by Julia Langdon
‘In China you feel like you are working in a dark void, where you know you are being watched but there is always silence. You know they are checking your emails, listening to your mobile phones and probably bugging your office and even your home. But their preference is for tight controls on newsgathering, preventing your acquiring material in the first place. We always assumed they rarely complained about broadcast reports because it would be an admission of failure on their part, a loss of face.’
– Dominic Waghorn, Sky News correspondent formerly in Beijing