Front page of The Sun newspaper in March. The 'Queen backs Brexit' headline was inaccurate, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled. Credit: The Sun/PA Wire/Press Association. All rights reserved.On the face of it, democracy is the ultimate self-regulatory system. Don’t like your government? Elect a new one. Don’t like the European Union? Vote to leave. The people have their say, and our institutions are forced to listen. But this does not mean that democracy is a free-for-all. Without rules, the odds would be stacked in favour of the most powerful players and the loudest voices. Freedom for the pike would be death for the minnows.
News publishers – both in print and online – undoubtedly have an influence on our democratic decision-making.
The rules of democracy are enforced – at least, in theory – by an array of regulators. Parties are legally obliged to register with the Electoral Commission. Donations above £7,500 must be declared. Campaign spending above £10,000 at referendums must be declared. Charities and other organisations are barred from political campaigning. Party political broadcasts are required to comply with the relevant provisions of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. And broadcast journalists must follow Ofcom’s strict guidelines on impartiality.
