Leveson recommendations should be introduced

Lord Justice Leveson’s 2,000 page report has split the government over where to go next with regards to press regulation.

Labour and the Lib Dems want to unequivocally back Leveson’s recommendations while Conservatives are opposed to introducing a new law underpinning a new press regulator.

Judging by people’s reactions it seems a lot of people back Leveson, but the press were quick to say if Leveson’s recommendations are put in place we’ll have a state regulated press, nonsense, what Leveson proposes is that there is an independent regulator for the press that is backed by a law that means those who break the rules will be punished.

The whole point of Leveson’s investigation and report was to change the way the press is regulated as they have clearly shown they can’t be trusted to do it themselves, but rather than the press complaining about it, because it’s their own fault, they should sign up to the changes.

It’s like any law if you don’t break it and work within it you have nothing to worry about, it’s not like the changes will give politicians the power to ring editors and say you’re not running this story because I say so.

Draft legislation may be ready within a fortnight and hopefully after this incredibly lengthy and costly process, Leveson’s recommendations can be put on place and the politicians, police, press and public can all move on.