27 November 2011

Freedom and responsibility

Briefly back to the gale-swept city, and an invigorating run through the muddy woods.
Last night we watched a short debate about the Leveson Inquiry into the role and behaviour of the UK press (ref). Much of the UK press seems for a long time to have been internationally famous for its invasive prurience and obsession with class, privilege, & celebrity. And now for its illegal methods of procuring, or inventing, information. The consensus of the debate was that the law should be firmly upheld with regard to those illegal methods, but that trying to legislate against being obsessed with the private lives of celebrities and victims is neither feasible nor desirable. The solution lies with us, the UK public. After all, the media reflect their audience, and for as long as there is a demand for this loathsome tittle tattle in place of actual news, then so will there be a supply.

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