Journalists, editors and newspaper proprietors can discern one clear choice for this election. Vote Labour or Lib Dem and you’ll get Leveson 2, plus the royal charter implementation of section 40 (which means go to arbitration or risk doubled-up court costs). But vote Tory and all this is swept away. No more Leveson, past or present. No pressure to sign up for the chartered Impress rather than the industry-backed Ipso. No more hassle – and much less Hacked Offery.
This would at least offer an end to the dragging debate about newspaper self-government (bar a slew of expensive hacking settlements). But it isn’t the most controversial – going on amazing – statement in the digital section of the Conservative manifesto. Here is one stunning but unexplained pledge: “We will ensure there is a sustainable business model for high-quality media online, to create a level playing field for our media and creative industries.”
Gosh! Publishers the world over lust after that “sustainable” ideal. If Theresa May can square that circle, she won’t need to win a British election. She’ll be a shoo-in as world president.
