Beatrice Groth

Journalism, the medium of information gathering and distribution serves as the link between the people and the government. It enjoys the autonomy of the fourth estate, which is the governing body of journalism, responsible for the guiding principles on which journalism must be practiced. The basic principle of journalism is “truth” in which other principles are embedded. Freedom of the press is one of the principles, which allows journalists to carry out their duties freely and effectively. Denis McQuail in his book Journalism and Society, argued that, ‘a free press would be expected to expose the deeds of autocratic governments, hold them to account for misuse of power and give a truthful account of the conditions of the people’ (McQuail, D. 2013).  

Recently, Bill Coles, former correspondence of The Sun New York, and a host of British tabloid newspapers, lectured at the University of East London UEL, on the issue of Control Over Journalists. Bill, in effect does not believe in the press control. He emphasized on the fact that journalists should be allowed to do whatever it takes to get the news, in that way, members of the public would be well represented.

Furthermore, there have been long time debates and grumbles about the control of journalists and how journalism should work some journalists and owners of newspapers believe that journalism is a commercial and profit oriented commodity, hence it should not be policed. Moreover, these acts of control, are regarded, in Chris Frost’s book “Media Ethics and Self-Regulation” as, ‘The Obscene Publications Acts 1959 and 1964, Race Relations Act 1976, Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, – Law of Libel Amendment Act 1988 are just some of the laws which limit what may be published or broadcasted in an attempt to avoid causing offence’ (Frost, C. 2000, p. 44).

However, freedom should not undermine balance, and without minding the rhetorics of uncomfortable situations, coursed by the checks and balances attached to journalism, the truth still remains that journalism without control, could lead to irreparable damages, both to the members of the public and journalists themselves. Peter Burden in his book, “News of The World? Fake Shake & Royal Trappings” argued that, ‘… on a Murdoch paper the needs of the bottom line are generally expected to out-trump journalistic integrity’ (Burden, P. 2008, p. 19).

 Finally, Bill’s lecture was very educational. Students learnt how to source news, how to deal with the squeeze of Red Top news executives, he called “mad masters,” if chosen to work as a Red Top reporter.