Free Press pivotal to democracy

Dear Sir,

With reference to your article in last week's Chronicle concerning the Government's media policy, I agree that it raises serious issues.

It is at just those times when a free and unobstructed Press is necessary that this Government feels the need to restrict access to itself.

The Liberal Democrats believe that a free Press is pivotal to a thriving democracy.

However fair the Parliamentary system is, there are times when an independent media is the main if only medium for obtaining full, factual and coherent news about what is happening.

This is one such time and for the Government to curtail access to certain sectors of the Press while allowing unhindered access to others is a sure sign of tension in our democratic system of governance.

Without access to facts, there is space for fantasy, untruth and myth to prosper, something that this Government is keen to be seen acting on in different areas. - Yours faithfully,

DR PETER HIRST

Chair

Congleton constituency

Liberal Democrats.