Analysis: Now the cross-party talks must get underway

In regulating the press it’s a particularly tricky balancing act. We want and need a free press, but we all expect fair treatment at the hands of it.

The Leveson report is an attempt to strike this balance, and to offer a model of stronger regulation without stoking the fear of authoritarian control. It will take weeks and months for the debate to really take shape following the report, but on first glance the central recommendation appears an odd hybrid.

There is a call for legislation to “recognise” a new regulator, and some convoluted layers of people appointing people to appoint people who will be, in theory, independent. Even that word is contested; some people mean independence from government, others mean independence from the press barons themselves.

In Scotland, the First Minister has had some uncomfortable reading. Leveson highlights his striking readiness to assist Rupert Murdoch by putting pressure on the UK Government to make an unlawful decision about the BskyB bid. But we’ll only make progress if we focus on the future, and I look forward to taking part in cross-party talks about how Holyrood deals with the Leveson recommendations.

Scotland has a proud tradition of journalism but the existing model of self-regulation has clearly failed. Given that we’re now faced with the opportunity to act, it would be quite bizarre for a pro-independence government to leave this matter to Westminster. The Leveson report demands action to restore public trust and I believe the Scottish Parliament should use its powers in this area.

In my view it would be wrong to judge on the specific model of regulation before talks take place. This is a real opportunity to ensure that regulation is truly independent, not just from political interference but from corporate control, and protects essential freedoms, roots out bad journalism and properly protects people’s privacy.

• Patrick Harvie is co-leader of the Scottish Greens