Rejected petition Do not cross the rubicon. We support the Prime Minister's reservations in implementing a state-backed press regulator

We generally support the Prime Minister's reservations in creating a state-backed press regulator to implement Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations.

Sections of the press behaved abhorrently, but so have sections of the police and, seemingly, a number of politicians. The press on a whole is ethical & works in the public interest.

Reform is needed, but should avoid regulating how the press operate as this does indeed "cross the Rubicon". Options to consider:

1.) Effective redress for those wronged in the press under existing laws (privacy/libel)

2.) Competition amongst the press; fairness & transparency in the way public bodies deal with the press to prevent "monopolies on information" building around a mutual exchange of favours between press & public bodies.

3.) A robust mechanism immune from collusion for investigating the press when unlawful conduct has taken place which respects the protection of journalistic sources & other necessary investigative mechanisms.