Point 2 probably does.


Wouldn't it be easier to get rid of the scratter press and their basement journalism?

"  Deliberate act intended to (1) lessen the authority or dignity of a court, (2) embarrass, hinder, or obstruct the administration of justice, or (3) disobey a court's lawful order. Contempt of court is a criminal offense punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
    
I didnt think this applied to that guy.(chris jeffries) "

Point 2 most certainly does and a whole lot of Fleet St agree - even though they wrote it. 

I thought you meant Jeffries was in contemp of court,my mistake.
Point two does.

I do think it bad that people get splashed across the front page for just being suspected of a crime.... That lad that was accused of rape who was named in the press and then found to be innocent (because of CCTV) his life can never go back to how it was before that, he visits his family under the cover of darkness and had to move away as a result...... all because the press printed identity BEFORE he was even tried (or should that trialed?)

I say enforce the law rather than changing it to fit around whats going on

" I thought you meant Jeffries was in contemp of court,my mistake. "

Nah, he was in contempt of hairdo.

How do you enforce it in this day and age though, Jen?

Our laws obviously don't cover what is written beyond our shores and plenty of folk read 'foreign' news sites - CNN and that.

And what about Joe Public with 47837932 followers saying whatever they like on Twitter or wherever?  Hasn't it become almost unenforceable, even if they were to reign in Fleet Street?

Yeah to a degree, but alot of people still believe the media and in a way trust it, where as an individuals opinion on a forum /blog is just that, one persons thoughts, no one has the right to police individual opinion. The press is a different kettle of fish imo

Also just because a law is hard to enforce does that mean it should no longer be a law?

Yeah, point taken.

I suppose maybe I conflated two (kinda) separate questions.  The printed and broadcast media can be more heavily regulated but people are changing the way they get their news.  Even the popular press have collapsing circulations as far as I know.  So when people are drifting to more anarchic, independent sources then it does become very difficult.

Maybe The Sun will eventually be completely online with no printed version.  Could they not base themselves anywhere in the world then and say whatever they like with no heed to our laws? 

Hope this story isn't too long and convoluted but

remember the guy last week who was fined four hundred pounds for flashing oncoming motorists to warn them of a speed trap? Well my husband knows him (he's a refrigeration engineer). He has a dreadful stutter. Apparently he's been rung by all manner of people to give interviews on radio etc.

He told my husband - some people get their fifteen minutes of fame - in my case it's thirty

Well yeah, thats the main problem while also being the best thing about the internet, true freedom of speech.... thats hard to sensor. It is a tough one.

Heheheheh! Brilliant!