A Free and Regulated Press: Defending Coercive Independent Press Regulation

Erscheinungsjahr 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5099-2723-4
Verlag: HART PUB

Buch, Englisch, 328 Seiten, Hardback, Format (B × H): 158 mm x 238 mm, Gewicht: 1280 g

This thought-provoking book provides a systematic, philosophically-grounded reconceptualisation of press freedom and press regulation. In a major departure from orthodox norms, the book argues that press freedom and coercive independent press regulation are not mutually exclusive; that newspapers could be made to compensate their victims, through regulation, without jeopardising their free speech rights; that their perceived public watchdog status does not exempt them; and, ultimately, that mandatory press regulation is not unconstitutional. In doing so, the book questions our most deeply-held, intuitive beliefs about the press and its role in society.

Why do we say the printed press has a duty to act as a public watchdog when there is no legally enforceable apparatus by which to ensure it does? Why does government constantly recommend that the press regulate itself when history shows this model always fails? Why do victims of press malfeasance continue to suffer needlessly?

By deconstructing the accepted view of press freedom and mandatory regulation, this book shows that both are deeply misunderstood. The prevailing notion that the press must serve the public is an empty relic of Victorian ideology that is both philosophically incoherent and legally unjustifiable. The press is obliged to make good, not do good.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Wragg, Paul

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Ausländisches Recht Common Law (UK, USA, Australien u.a.)
• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Medienwissenschaften Medienphilosophie, Medienethik, Medienrecht
• Rechtswissenschaften Wirtschaftsrecht Medienrecht

Inhaltsverzeichnis

PART 1
RATIONALE
1. Unity in Press Freedom Theory

I. Introduction

II. The Modern View

III. The Teleological View in its Historical Context

IV. Conclusion

2. Division in Press Regulatory Theory

I. Introduction

II. Press Regulation in Practice

III. The Ideological Divide Over Press Regulation

IV. The Press Reform Debate and its Discontents

V. Conclusion

PART 2
RIGHT
3. Duty

I. Introduction

II. Duty as a Legal Claim

III. Duty as a Moral Justification

IV. Conclusion

4. Responsibility

I. Introduction

II. Burdens for Benefits

III. Responsibilities Curbing Misuse of Power

IV. Professionalism and the Dualism of Responsibility

V. Conclusion

5. Accountability

I. Introduction

II. Mill's Argument from Truth

III. Liberty, Rationality, and the Press

IV. The Accountability Model Outlined

V. Liberty and the Press

VI. Conclusion

PART 3
REGULATION
6. Society

I. Introduction

II. The Meaning of Accuracy

III. The Harm of Inaccuracy

IV. The Limits of Accuracy Regulation

V. Conclusion

7. Victims

I. Introduction

II. Content

III. Conduct

IV. Public Interest Expression

V. Conclusion

8. Readers

I. Introduction

II. Consumer Protection

III. Autonomy and Automatons

IV. Conclusion

PART 4
REALISATION
9. How?

I. Introduction

II. Terminal Failings in the Contractual Model

III. Statutory Regulation, Press Freedom, and Pareidolia

IV. Sanctions

V. Conclusion

10. Why?

I. Introduction

II. Why Regulate the Press?

III. Why Regulate the Press?

IV. Why Not?

Über Autor(innen)

Wragg, Paul
Paul Wragg is Professor of Media Law at the School of Law, University of Leeds, UK.

Paul Wragg is Professor of Law at the University of Leeds.