‘Totalitarian-style’ new online code ‘will not limit press freedom’, says Culture Secretary

Draconian laws designed to tame the web giants will not limit press freedom, the Culture Secretary said yesterday.

In a letter to the Society of Editors, Jeremy Wright vowed that ‘journalistic or editorial content would not be affected’ by the proposals.

And he reassured free speech advocates by saying there would be safeguards to protect the role of the Press.

Jeremy Wright vowed that ‘journalistic or editorial content would not be affected’ by the proposals. He sought to reassure news chiefs that the Government would preserve Press freedoms

The Government is facing accusations that its Online Harms White Paper paves the way for totalitarian-style censorship.

The 98-page document laid out plans for an internet watchdog that would have the power to block websites from Britain if they did not adhere to its rules.

The regulator could also remove non-compliant websites from search results and app stores, and stop users from accessing them via links on social media. The plans are designed to force lawless web firms to remove harmful material from their platforms. 

But they have sparked fears that they could backfire and turn Britain into the first Western nation to adopt the kind of censorship usually associated with totalitarian regimes.

Former culture secretary John Whittingdale drew parallels with China, Russia and North Korea. Matthew Lesh of the Adam Smith Institute, a free market think-tank, branded the white paper a ‘historic attack on freedom of speech’.

But yesterday Mr Wright sought to reassure news chiefs that the Government would preserve Press freedoms and ensure its plans ‘did not have unintended consequences’.

The 98-page document laid out plans for an internet watchdog that would have the power to block websites from Britain if they did not adhere to its rules. The regulator could also stop users from accessing them via links on social media [File photo]

The 98-page document laid out plans for an internet watchdog that would have the power to block websites from Britain if they did not adhere to its rules. The regulator could also stop users from accessing them via links on social media [File photo]

‘This Government absolutely upholds the core principle of freedom of expression, recognising the invaluable role a free Press plays in our cultural and democratic life,’ he said. ‘We are seeking to build sufficient safeguards into our proposals to protect those freedoms.

‘The Government’s stance on Press regulation has not changed.

‘The Government strongly supports Press freedom and editorial independence. A vibrant, independent, plural and free Press that is able to hold the powerful to account is essential to our democracy.

‘High quality journalism also plays a key part in tackling misinformation and disinformation.’

The letter was copied to the News Media Association, which represents around 2,600 national, regional and local newspapers and websites, as well as to the Independent Press Standards Organisation and to Impress, a state-sponsored rival watchdog backed by disgraced motor racing tycoon Max Mosley.

Mr Wright reassured news chiefs over the white paper’s proposals to impose a duty of care on web firms.

This would apply to any website that allowed users to post content or interact with each other – regardless of whether they are a tech giant like Google or a smaller website such as an online news service, blog or review site. 

Mr Wright said the new web watchdog would not police moderated comments on news websites if they were already overseen by a regulator. The Government, which is consulting on the proposals, now faces pressure to make amendments before they become law.

The letter (pictured) was copied to the News Media Association, which represents around 2,600 national, regional and local newspapers and websites, as well as to the Independent Press Standards Organisation and to Impress, a state-sponsored rival watchdog backed by disgraced motor racing tycoon Max Mosley

The letter (pictured) was copied to the News Media Association, which represents around 2,600 national, regional and local newspapers and websites, as well as to the Independent Press Standards Organisation and to Impress, a state-sponsored rival watchdog backed by disgraced motor racing tycoon Max Mosley

Even after Mr Wright’s reassurances, critics fear the new rules could still suppress legitimate news journalism, because they would apply to search engines and social media news feeds, and Google and Facebook may comply by setting their algorithms to exclude news stories on controversial subjects

Mr Lesh said: ‘Even if they exempt newspaper content from the scheme, there is still a serious danger that it could lead to certain news content being removed or hidden on search engines and social media sites.

‘It will also serve to limit journalistic access to information by requiring social media companies to remove content. At the very least, the Government should make a distinction between news sources and user-generated content.

‘This entire white paper is a serious threat to a free, liberal society. The Government should go back to the drawing board.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk