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Papers could be ‘destroyed by sanctions’
A LABOUR MP has added his voice to the growing opposition to draconian proposals aimed at restricting press freedom.
Dudley North MP Ian Austin has warned that Section 40-style costs sanctions proposed in the Data Protection Bill could bankrupt newspapers.
He said today: “I will continue to speak up for the Express & Star and its staff who do so much good work in the Black Country.”
His comments came as Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said all politicians should aim to ‘protect the freedom of the press’. Last month the House of Lords backed legislation that if implemented would force newspapers to pay libel costs, even if they were victorious in court.
Prime Minister Theresa May said such a move would ‘undermine high-quality journalism and a free press’.
Along with Culture Secretary Matt Hancock and Environment Secretary Michael Gove, she has stated her intention to ensure the vote, which included backing for a wide-ranging inquiry into the media, would be overturned.
Speaking today, Mr Austin said: “Having a free press that holds the powerful and wealthy to account is a vital part of living in a free, open and democratic society and I don’t think the freedom of the press can be governed by politicians.”
He said previous allegations of criminal behaviour involving newspapers were concentrated on ‘people at one or two national newspapers’.
“This should not undermine confidence in the press more widely, especially campaigning local papers like the Express & Star which operate to the highest standards and which have not done anything wrong at all,” he added.
“I am worried that Section 40 could lead to a situation in which a newspaper is sued, wins the court case but then still has to pay significant costs to the unsuccessful claimant at the behest of a press regulator.
“Regional papers like the Express & Star make a make a huge contribution to the communities they serve and had absolutely no involvement with criminal activities at national papers, so it’s very hard to see what problems are solved by forcing them to sign up to costs sanctions that could bankrupt them.” As it stands, no significant publications have chosen to sign up to Section 40. The majority of the industry – including national newspapers, regionals and magazines – has signed up to a tough new system of self-regulation under the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso), which started in September 2014.
Members of the public who have been helped by the E&S have also expressed their opposition to Section 40. Pastor Robert Cooper sought the help of the newspaper when he was told his wife of 18 years would be sent back to Brazil.
Adna Cooper was refused a permanent visa and returned home, despite the couple having lived in the UK for several years. After a series of stories and support from a local MP, the Home Office granted a temporary visa for Adna, reuniting the pair in the UK.
Mr Cooper, aged 43, from Brierley Hill, said: “It was difficult to know where to turn, it felt like I was on my own facing a losing battle.
“But with help of the Express & Star I was able to raise my issue and I soon received wide support. People still stop me today because they recognise my face from the stories in the newspaper. It might have been a different story if the Express & Star had not got involved.”
Suzy Richards has also hailed the work of the E&S. Her family was torn apart in 2015 when three members of it were killed in a terrorist attack in Tunisia.
Her son, Joel Richards, aged 19, his uncle Adrian Evans and grandfather Patrick Evans were all killed when a gunman opened fire on a beech.
Ms Richards has since set up a charity called Smile For Joel, a fund for families which have been hit by terror attacks. She said: “We have worked with the Express & Star closely, raising the profile of the charity and the continuing work we are doing.
“We found the newspaper helped us get results and I remain in contact with journalists from the paper on a regular basis today.”
