Pro-Euro Tory has an interesting view on press freedom

Bernard Geerlings is a youthful cove so maybe we should forgive him, but I am not so sure,

The press requires greater regulation in what lies and falsehoods are published. Political interpretation is a natural and desirable part of the press' function but the quality of journalism and the national interest demand that the press should be held to account where reckless lies and falsehoods are reported.

I wonder who he feels is qualified to judge what is in the national interest? Could it be people like civil servants?

Defenders of democracy must welcome increased power for a civil service and public bodies who serve the people and are accountable to the people through elected leaders.

Of course intelligent decent people agree with young Bernard,

It is no coincidence that the most educated press in the UK is euro-realist. It is also patently obvious to any student of European politics (pro or anti-European) that it is in Britain's interests at the very least to be a member of the European Union. Large sections of the press claim that it is the democratic will of the people to leave the EU. Whether or not most people want to leave the EU, this interpretation of democracy is not government for the people; it is mob rule. More than that, it is mob rule, where the mob is ruled by the media. The battle is between public servants and unknown media figures in the shadows of giant corporations.

It is all rather sad, if not worrying that this young chap displays such arrogance. Sad that he actually believes that media figures are unknown (has he never heard of bylines?) whereas in some way civil servants are accountable. Sadder still thyat he equates agreement with intelligence, and sadest of all that he is given spavce by a Tory organisation to promulgate what can only be described as deeply illiberal, controlling tendancies.

I am sure he will go far. Particularly as his organisation is supported by this lot,

Rt Hon Lord Brittan of Spennithorne QC
Rt Hon Lord Carrington KG CH KCMG MC
Rt Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben
Rt Hon Lord Heseltine of Thenford CH
Rt Hon Lord Howe of Aberavon CH QC
Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Wirral MBE
Rt Hon Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE
Timothy Kirkhope MEP
Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes CH
Lord Plumb of Coleshill DL
Tom Spencer
Ian Taylor MBE
Robert Walter MP