Newspaper regulation: blog tasks

 Task One: Media Magazine article and questions

Read the Media Magazine article: From Local Press to National Regulator in MM56 (p55). You'll find the article in our Media Magazine archive here. Once you've read the article, answer the following questions:

1) Keith Perch used to edit the Leicester Mercury. How many staff did it have at its peak and where does Perch see the paper in 10 years' time?

130 journalists in ten years. He thinks that if it is still in print, it will be weekly, extremely expensive and have a very small circulation. If it's online, it will be unlikely to make money and so would employ on five or six.


2) How does Perch view the phone hacking scandal?

 Perch thinks that the biggest single issue is that something illegal was going on, which obviously should not have been, and which wasn’t dealt with by the police, and unfortunately the resulting actions have been disproportionate. Far too many newspapers and magazines have been caught up in a regulatory system that they shouldn’t really be caught up in.

3) What does IPSO stand for and how does it work?
IPSO- Independent Press Standards Organisation. 

It’s set up in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry and the revelations of phone hacking at tabloid newspapers.

4) What is Perch's view of newspaper ownership?

newspaper ownership is concentrated in the hands of a few large corporations, which limits diversity in perspectives and reduces the democratic function of the press. 

5) Do you agree with his view that broadcast news should have less regulation so that TV channels can support particular political parties or people?

No  because reducing regulation could lead to biased reporting, similar to how newspapers operate under corporate ownership. Unlike newspapers, broadcast news reaches a wider and more diverse audience, meaning that political bias could significantly shape public opinion. 

Task Two: Newspaper regulation exam question

Write an answer on your blog answering the following exam question:

What are the arguments for and against statutory regulation of the newspaper industry? [20 marks]

Aim to write an answer of around 400-500 words featuring at least three detailed paragraphs. Make sure you cover both sides of the debate. This topic could well be our 20-mark essay at the end of Paper 1, Section B so it's great preparation for the summer exams.

Introduction- The debate over statutory regulation is significant, as it raises  questions about press freedom, accountability, and democratic integrity.

Para1 - arguments for statutory regulation

it ensures accountability and prevents unethical journalism. Without regulation, newspapers may engage in intrusive practices, as seen in the 2011 News of the World phone-hacking scandal, where journalists accessed private voicemails to create sensationalist stories. 

Para2 - Another argument is that statutory regulation would prevent excessive corporate influence on the news. Large media conglomerates, such as Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, own multiple newspapers and use them to push political agendas. Government oversight could introduce policies that promote media plurality, ensuring that a range of perspectives is available to the public.

Para 3 - arguments against statutory regulation

Despite these benefits, some may argue that statutory regulation threatens press freedom and could lead to government interference in journalism. A free press is essential to democracy, as it holds those in power accountable. For example if the government has control over newspaper regulation, there would be a risk of censorship, where critical reporting on political issues is suppressed. Thefore this  could ultimately lead to a lack of transparency and a weaker democracy.

Para 4 - Moreover, self-regulation is often seen as a more effective alternative. Organizations like IPSO) already oversee newspapers and handle complaints, allowing the press to maintain independence while still being held accountable. As a results of this people who support this will say that statutory regulation is unnecessary and that a robust self-regulation system, backed by legal consequences for extreme breaches, would be a better solution.

Conclusion - The debate over statutory regulation of newspapers is complex as its balancing the need for ethical journalism with the importance of press freedom. While statutory regulation could prevent unethical practices and misinformation, it also risks government interference and restrictions on investigative reporting.