Ownership Of News Media

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30895, 30 October 1965, Page 14

Ownership Of News Media

Sir, —As “The Times” thundered so forthrigthitfly a little more than 100 years ago, “the press lives by disclosure.” This fundamental fact seems to have been overlooked by the protagonists of the News Media Ownership Bill, who appear unduly fearful of the minor matter of ownership. The essence of a lively press is disclosure, not ownership. It is worth remembering that “The Times” was moved to examine its basic reason for existence because the Government of the day was attempting to tamper with it, and on the grounds of the welfare of the State.— Yours, etc., GORDON TAIT. October 28, 1965.

Sir, —In reply to “Flex,” there is a very big difference between overseas interests controlling one newspaper or controlling the lot. If control of this unifinancial country is desired it can be done through the Monetary Fund much more easily than the press. Mr F. Cavan keeps referring to foreign interests presumably including Lord Thomson. Are we in the Commonwealth, out of it, or being surreptitiously led out of it? A great many people, particularly farmers, would welcome British views on our import control system. Denying them that right is an infringement of their basic rights. Great Britain welcomed the Canadian, Lord Beaverbrook, and if she had not, might easily have lost World War I, Does “Flex” think his broad liberal views would have contaminated us? Just how narrow, insular and prejudiced can we get?— Yours, etc., V. WILKINSON. October 29, 1965.