The press is essential to a healthy democracy (Trust, diversity and independence: three key elements for a thriving press, 1 May). The conventional wisdom is that a “free” press is the guardian of democracy, but I would argue that it is, in fact, an unbiased press that serves that purpose.
Should newspapers operate on the basis of neutrality? Perhaps they should be considered a public service. Responsible journalism should present the facts in a coherent way, with spin deciphered, and only then draw an editorial conclusion, if it is appropriate. But this cannot be the case when each publication panders to its ideological base or, more worryingly, to the interests of its owner. Then, the “free” press is a mere propaganda tool.
