Media: Ownership

Lord Inglewood Excerpts

Wednesday 15th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Indeed, my Lords, I can confirm that.

[Lord Inglewood]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for trailing tomorrow’s Communications Committee report, which covers in some depth a lot of the issues that are being discussed now. Although I recognise that, on the face of it, some activities of some journalists who have been engaged by News Corporation appear to be absolutely abominable and unacceptable, it is equally important, in the interests of investigative journalism and the way in which our country is run, that people are perceived to be innocent until they are proved guilty.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

I agree with my noble friend. We must also bear in mind the power of investigative journalism, which has turned up some stories that have been of great benefit to the country as well as a cause of pain to other people.