Free and Regulated Press: Defending Coercive Independent Press Regulation

This book provides a systematic, philosophically-grounded reconceptualization of press freedom and press regulation, arguing that press freedom and coercive independent press regulation are not mutually exclusive, that newspapers could be made to compensate their victims through regulation without jeopardizing their free speech rights, that their perceived public watchdog status does not exempt them, and that mandatory press regulation is not unconstitutional. It questions our most deeply-held intuitive beliefs about the press and its role in society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This thought-provoking book offers a comprehensive and philosophically grounded reimagining of press freedom and press regulation. It challenges prevailing norms by arguing that press freedom and coercive independent press regulation can coexist harmoniously, without compromising newspapers' right to free speech. The book suggests that newspapers can be held accountable for their actions through regulation, without jeopardizing their core principles. It also debunks the notion that newspapers are immune from regulation simply because of their perceived public watchdog role. Furthermore, the book challenges the constitutionality of mandatory press regulation, suggesting that it is not inherently unlawful.

By critically examining our deeply held beliefs about the press and its role in society, the book raises important questions. Why do we continue to hold the printed press responsible for acting as a public watchdog, despite the absence of a legal mechanism to enforce it? Why does the government persist in advocating self-regulation, despite historical evidence of its failure? Why do victims of press malfeasance continue to suffer needlessly?

Through a deconstruction of the accepted view of press freedom and mandatory regulation, this book reveals that both are deeply misunderstood. The notion that the press must serve the public is an outdated relic of Victorian ideology that lacks philosophical coherence and legal justification. The press's obligation is not to do good, but to make good.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about press freedom and regulation. It challenges our assumptions and offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between the press and society. By promoting a more nuanced and philosophically grounded understanding of these issues, the book aims to contribute to the development of a more responsible and accountable press.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 157 x 237 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509943760