In the UK, a handful of giant corporations control the nation’s TV channels, news outlets, radio stations, search engines and social media platforms. This has given wealthy individuals and organisations huge political and economic power and enabled them to distort the media landscape to suit their interests and personal views. Urgent reform is needed to reclaim the media in the … [Read more...]
Bradley reopens future of press regulation
The culture secretary has unexpectedly reopened the issue of press regulation by questioning whether Leveson 2, meant to investigate corrupt dealings between the press and police, is still necessary. Karen Bradley MP said that she was launching a consultation on: costs provisions for victims and Leveson “part two” into police corruption. The latter had been delayed by … [Read more...]
Justice delayed: Justice denied say campaigners
by OTJC news release On 15 December 2015 Home Secretary Theresa May received the compelling evidence compiled by the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) presenting the case for a public inquiry into the policing at Orgreave on 18 June 1984. Since its creation in November 2012 the OTJC has worked tirelessly to place on the political agenda the urgent need for a … [Read more...]
Government rejects Orgreave inquiry
Home secretary Amber Rudd, has rejected an inquiry into the “Battle of Orgreave" which took place during the 1984 miners’ strike. The long-awaited decision is a bitter blow to former miners and campaigners who hoped an inquiry would also establish clear links between the misconduct by the South Yorkshire police during the Hillsborough disaster and their behaviour five years … [Read more...]
CPBF welcomes IMPRESS recognition decision
by Barry White The Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom which, for many years has campaigned for independent and effective press self-regulation, has welcomed today’s decision by the Press Recognition Panel, to recognise IMPRESS application for recognition under the Royal Charter. Meeting today in west London, the Panel set up under the provisions of the Royal … [Read more...]
URGENT: Tweet your MP – BBC charter needs significant amendments
The new draft BBC charter is being discussed in Parliament TOMORROW Oct 18th so please tweet your MPs NOW and get them turn up to the debate and speak out to protect the independence and public service nature of the BBC. For full details of the amendments the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom deems necessary to protect the independent and public service nature of … [Read more...]
Support the Newsquest strikers: defend local news
by NUJ news release Today (13 October) is the first day of a week-long strike organised by NUJ members working for Newsquest South London. The strike is in response to devastating cuts proposals - Newsquest has put its entire south London newsroom on notice of redundancy, bar the managing editor and the web editor. The company want to make these job cuts by mid-October. They … [Read more...]
Murdoch takes over Wireless Group: BBC losing millions
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation is on the move again by completing a £220m deal buying Wireless Group bringing Talksport (with 3m listener a week) and Virgin Radio under his control. The Group which owns The Sun, Times and Sunday Times via News IUK also has a 40% stake in the broadcaster Sky. More at: … [Read more...]
CPBF says that draft Charter opens the way to privatisation of public service broadcasting by stealth
by Tom O'Malley CPBF The Draft Royal Charter announced today (15 September) in Parliament, will diminish the role of the BBC as a public service broadcaster, undermine its production base and weaken its position as the provider of diverse, challenging, and high quality programming. The Draft Charter contains three, key proposals: · Placing responsibility for regulating … [Read more...]
News International dispute: Wapping & Kinning Park re-visited
by Alan Richardson In January 1986, a momentous year-long industrial dispute began when Rupert Murdoch, owner of four of Britain’s leading newspapers The Sun, News of the World, The Times and The Sunday Times, moved production from Fleet Street to a secretly equipped and heavily guarded plant at Wapping, in east London. At the same time a new plant was secretly developed at … [Read more...]