FREE speech is fundamental to democracy and a free press. In an era of “fake news” and “alternative facts”, social media providers need to do much more to check the facts that they broadcast are true. At this time the role of the whistle-blower is vital.
So, it is very disturbing that the Government is considering a new law that could cause such whistle-blower, journalists and even elected representatives to face jail sentences under a replacement to the Official Secrets Act.
That is reminiscent more of the People’s Republic of China, or the Kremlin, than our own Great Britain.
This proposed draconian law sees no difference between foreign spies and UK citizens who publish secret government information, and is insidious because it extends the circle of prosecution from the individual who leaks the information to all who then pass it on.
Even leaks of economic information related to Brexit could be subject to it.
Of course, our country’s security is vital. But so is the right of British citizens, our journalists, and elected representatives to draw public attention to government misbehaviour. If this increasingly extreme Conservative Government brings forward such an illiberal law, then all lovers of our liberal democracy must unite to fight it all the way.
Dr Brian Mathew
Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for North Wiltshire
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