MONDAY POLLThere are plans for the government to alter the Official Secrets Act because according to the Home Office, new legislation is necessary as “the existing legislation does not sufficiently capture the discernible and very real threat posed by state... Read more
MONDAY POLL
There are plans for the government to alter the Official Secrets Act because according to the Home Office, new legislation is necessary as “the existing legislation does not sufficiently capture the discernible and very real threat posed by state threats”.
However, journalists are opposed to such a change because the proposed bill includes a major crackdown on “unauthorised disclosures”, or leaks of sensitive information weakening important safeguards for journalists and documentary makers, conflating issues such as spying with reporting and increasing penalties for any breach.
What do you think? Is this is a real attempt by the government to improve the way journalists report on stories? Or is it the government's way of silencing critical voices?
There are plans for the government to alter the Official Secrets Act because according to the Home Office, new legislation is necessary as “the existing legislation does not sufficiently capture the discernible and very real threat posed by state threats”.
However, journalists are opposed to such a change because the proposed bill includes a major crackdown on “unauthorised disclosures”, or leaks of sensitive information weakening important safeguards for journalists and documentary makers, conflating issues such as spying with reporting and increasing penalties for any breach.
What do you think? Is this is a real attempt by the government to improve the way journalists report on stories? Or is it the government's way of silencing critical voices?
