Two local editors have accused a councillor of “jumping on the bandwagon” after he called for tighter regulation of newspapers in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.
Cllr Phil Anderson, leader of the Conservative group on Labour-run Thurrock Council is calling for a new code of conduct to be signed by all local newspapers in the area.
However Michael Casey, editor of online newspaper YourThurrock.com called it “an ill thought out moral crusade” and accused the councillor of “jumping on the bandwagon.”
And Thurrock Enquirer editor Neil Speight told HTFP: “If he is suggesting that we will not report on drunken councillors that make a prat of themselves then I won’t sign it.”
In a press statement sent out to all newspapers in the Thurrock area, Cllr Anderson said: “Events this week have made it very clear that some parts of the national media had crossed the line of acceptable behaviour.
“I don’t want to see anything like this ever happen locally here in Thurrock. Both local public figures and our independent local media deserve to be protected. In a fast changing environment of internet reporting and social media, we cannot assume that yesterday’s conventions will still work today.”
Said Michael: “I’m concerned it’s going to be like a show trial. The idea of putting a businesses on trial makes me feel very uncomfortable.
“You can’t just pick and choose who to sign a code of conduct.”
Added Neil: “I think people know there’s a difference between national and local press.
“I cannot think where he is coming from. If he is suggesting that we will not report on drunken councillors that make a prat of themselves then I won’t sign it.”
In a leader column, Neil added: “I’m very confident that this newspaper and our rivals would be happy to stand up on our record of integrity and fair play.
“My only request is that Cllr Anderson and his colleagues show the same responsibility. In recent time we’ve had drunken Thurrock councillors embarrassing themselves, some releasing unacceptable racist comments and others tied up in inappropriate behaviour over planning.”
Cllr Anderson has asked councillors to hold a debate about the new code in a meeting next week.
Prime Minister David Cameron has established an inquiry into press ethics which is expected to result in a new regulatory regime for the industry.
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I’m usually behind Speighty, but everyone’s entitled to get battered every now and again. Does it mean, Neil, if someone sees you out drunk or saying something that perhaps you shouldn’t but it happens anyway that they can plaster it all over their newspaper because they think it’s in the public interest? Oh, wait, they don’t have their own paper to air their grievances in. This is why local press needs regulating, to stop one man (the editor) from grinding his axe.
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The difference Harold is the fact that the man out drunk or saying something that perhaps he shouldn’t is an elected councillor who is voted for by members of the public who deserve to know what he is really like and what he really believes. Many a true word is spoken in stupour.
Mr Speight on the other hand is not a public official elected by the people but a private individual employed by a private company. In much the same was as Jordan, Premier League footballers, and the host of other minor celebrities splashed across the tabloids, his private life has no place in the press unless he commits a crime.
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I think public benefit is better than public interest, though no-one has come up with a good definition.
I for one don’t think a local councillor getting drunk is news unless he or she breaks the law.
But then I don’t think which footballer is having it off with which woman is news of public interest/benefit either. It’s all a bit pervie, surely?
Maybe I am losing my news sense.
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The careless abandon with which some people advocate “press regulation” is truly frightening – one only hopes that it is rooted in ignorance rather than in genuine enthusiasm. Recent history records only too well the consequences of censorship and state-regulated publishing – let’s not go there again…
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Well they’d just love to be able to control the press, wouldn’t they.
I can see us having to get signed consent from all and sundry before we can publish a goddamned paragraph as this rate.
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This is a typical reaction to newspapers publishing what the elected councillor, county councillor, MP would have preferred his/her electorate not to know about. Most of these such moves come from the party of ‘freedom’, ie the Tories, who would like to be free to do what they please while everyone else must obey the law, or feel the full force of it. If you hold public office, no matter how high or low, you should be subject to full scrutiny of all decisions, dealings etc.
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