MP Jim Fitzpatrick slams press regulation application
MP Jim Fitzpatrick - Credit: Spencer Griffiths
The government’s decision to omit council-run newspapers such as Tower Hamlets’ East End Life from new press regulations has been slammed by a local MP.
Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick criticised government guidelines which show town hall publications will not be covered by the Royal Charter, designed to regulate newspapers’ conduct.
He said: “East End Life has become too big and too bias. Hand delivered to nearly every household in the borough it enjoys a privileged position without any real oversight.
“For this reason it’s important that council newspapers such as East End Life feature in the Leveson debate”, added the Labour MP.
The Royal Charter will apply to independent newspapers, prompting the Newspaper Society to voice fears that local newspapers could be crippled by the new damages they could face.
You may also want to watch:
But ministers justified their decision by reaffirming their intention to pass laws to ban council newspapers.
Most Read
- 1 Jailed: Teenagers who left victim blind in one eye after train stabbing
- 2 Patient group set up over allegations of 'poor care' at Royal London
- 3 New street market coming to Docklands is Will's passion
- 4 Canary Wharf floats idea for new green restaurant on water
- 5 Brick Lane's famous bagel shop launches delivery service
- 6 Updated appeal for information about man last seen in Poplar in January
- 7 Fire crews fight blaze at pub in Hackney Wick
- 8 MPs pledge to fight on for 'forgotten victims' of IRA Canary Wharf bombing
- 9 Jailed: drug dealer who rammed police with stolen car to escape
- 10 Mother and son taken to hospital during "severe" fire in Bow
