I don’t know all that
much about the Leveson Inquiry, I’ll be honest, but I do know it’s pretty
important in a lot of ways to lots of different people.
In History, we are
studying World War 2, and from it I have learnt a lot about Communism and
Capitalism; the UK is Capitalist, with a free vote and a range of poverty and
wealth, and free press. But that could change, depending on the outcome of the
Leveson Report; will we still have the free press? Or will it be regulated and
controlled by the government?
I did try doing some
research on the whole situation, but I really struggled finding what I wanted
as there is so much to sift through; articles about celebrities who have been
affected, victims who want justice, the media’s reaction and so on. But, based
on the little knowledge I have, I think the Leveson Inquiry and its effects is
generally a good thing.
Personally, I think
the press being allowed to write anything and everything is wrong, but I also
think it is a bad idea to largely confine the press, like with Communist
countries. The fact that newspapers will be regulated and moderated in the UK
will probably do a lot of good, raising the standards of journalism in Britain.
Some newspapers need it more than others, however. The Sun and the Daily Mirror,
tabloids that were criticised in the Report for releasing private and/or inaccurate
information are an example of such papers; the new control should improve their
‘quality’ of journalism, with only correct, precise, and legal information
published.
The Leveson Inquiry
talks about how an independent regulatory body should be established, with the
ability to sanction and investigate the newspapers and its sources. A ‘whistle
blowing hotline’ may also be set up, for journalists to call who feel pressured
to write about or do unethical things. This hotline is a great idea;
journalists can report any wrong-doing easily, knowing the problem will be
tackled.
Journalism will
change for good, but hopefully with a positive outcome.
I found this article
hard to write because I don’t know as much as I would like to, and I couldn’t
find the information I needed/wanted to help me write it, so it probably doesn’t
make much sense. I tried though.
