Regulation of the Press

The Scottish Parliament recently debated the potential incorporation into Scots law of the Westminster Royal Charter on the Regulation of the Press prompted by the much-publicised Leveson inquiry on media ethics, carried out in the wake of the hacking scandal and invasion of privacy by various media outlets.

Regulating the press is a balancing act between ensuring the right to fair comment and freedom of speech which never unduly compromises anyone’s right to privacy. It is this evaluation which is of primary importance.

However, it is not just upon individuals that press regulation legislation would have an impact, as it is still to be made clear exactly to whom these laws would apply.

For example, to keep up with news in the constituency, I rely upon several local papers. Where is the boundary between a mainstream paper that is covered by the charter and a periodical carrying news that is published in a parish for a readership of perhaps 150 parishioners?

Where does that leave a community radio station, which broadcasts on the internet or through the airwaves? Are they a broadcaster for the purposes of the law? Some of the time they will be the media and the press and will be covered by the charter, and some of the time they will not.

Even we as politicians could be caught by it if we provide something that is news and which perhaps carries advertising in promoting our electoral campaigns. Is such material included?

The reality is that we need to look at the whole picture, and ensure that we cover all the ways in which people get news and that they are properly controlled, but also free to inform, educate and entertain.

The definitive test of this will be that of what is “in the public interest,” and, of course, who will be the guardians of that interest, because, ultimately, it is the test of public interest that determines what turns information into news.

Year of Natural Scotland

2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland, a nationwide celebration of our breath-taking scenery and diverse, unique natural heritage. An exciting series of events is in place for the coming months, including arts, music and sport, all of which are in a spirit of celebration, as well as conservation, of our great outdoors.

The Year of Natural Scotland is also an opportunity for us all to consider our environment, both in terms of our immediate surroundings and our broader eco-system, and to take action to protect and sustain Scotland’s natural heritage. Indeed, in the North-east, we boast a diverse array of flora, fauna and natural habitat which, while there for us to get out and enjoy, also needs our protection.

To this end I, and several of my parliamentary colleagues, have signed up to the Scottish Environment Link Species Champion programme.

The species being championed range from iconic animals and plants to lesser-known fungi and invertebrates. Each of the species listed is currently affected by a range of human impacts such as development-driven habitat loss, climate change and pollution.

Each of us Species Champions will be learning first-hand from members of Scottish Environment LINK who have a tradition of environmental expertise throughout Scotland. We will then be working together to provide a brighter future for these species, and pass on that knowledge throughout Scotland’s political community to shape policy and promote biodiversity.

I have adopted the, albeit not cuddly, but still beautiful Spiny Lobster, also known as the crayfish, whose numbers have been in decline in recent years. Over the coming 12 months, and beyond, I will be doing what I can to raise awareness of the plight of the spiny lobster, and ensuring that it is being fished responsibly.