EU's 1984 approach to the media

Don't let this slip under the radar. Just as Labour, the Lib Dems and big business are telling us we should stay in the EU, an EU report has urged tight press regulation and demanded that Brussels officials are given control of national media supervisors with new powers to enforce fines or the sacking of journalists.

Th report also attacks David Cameron for failing to implement Leveson. It concludes that

All EU countries should have independent media councils.

Media councils should have real enforcement powers, such as the imposition of fines, orders for printed or broadcast apologies, or removal of journalistic status.

Removal of journalistic status? Does that imply state licensing of journalists?

National media councils should be supervised by the European Commission. The report says national media councils should follow a set of European-wide standards and be monitored by the Commission to ensure that they comply with European values.

The government has rejected the proposals. Nigel Farage for once is spot on when he compares these proposals to 1984.

Those against a referendum need to be reminded that the EU is committed to ever closer union. It will keep encroaching further on our freedoms and autonomy. That's its declared policy.