Web of intrigue

For the first time in 300 years, our press is to be subject to a form of licensing that will make it dangerous to run stories that upset governments – such as the scandal over MPs’ expenses.

The independent press regulator will be overseen by a sinister “recognition body” made up, inevitably, of the usual suspects the Privy Council dredges up on such occasions. This form of statutory control is not only unconstitutional in the US and the rest of the free world, it also violates article ten of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is not driven by a nation afraid of overly powerful newspapers, but by a tawdry alliance of politicians and celebrities whose nefarious activities have been exposed.

Hobbling the media is likely to result in the field being left to the internet’s demented hordes.

(Dr) John Cameron

St Andrews, Fife