A free press means freedom from government

In a landmark ruling for press freedom in Britain, the government has today moved to outlaw ownership of national newspapers and magazines by foreign powers. The text of the proposed new law has not been published but it would appear to rule out any Emirati ownership – in whole or in part – of the Daily Telegraph and The Spectator. The move came after backbenchers in the Lords and Commons gathered in such numbers that, had the government not acted, Parliament would have done. It’s a case study of democracy at work.

Tina Stowell, a backbench Tory peer, organised an amendment in the House of Lords to be voted on today – galvanising the debate. Politicians from all parties rallied to argue that ownership of the press by government – any government – is incompatible with press freedom. Robert Jenrick ended up with close to 150 Tories willing to rebel in the Commons if Stowell’s amendment passed in the Lords.