UK Prime Minister addressing senior editors in London today (28/04/24).
‘New technology is undermining the truth and journalists themselves are even becoming the victims of deepfakes’
The strength of democracy depends on the strength of the independent news sector, the UK prime minister stated today (29/04/24).
Speaking at a conference marking the 25th anniversary of the Society of Editors, Rishi Sunak said he was committed to ensuring journalism was able to fulfil its role to question, inform, investigate and challenge aspects of British life, power and politicians.
He said he would not always agree with what news reports said about him, his political agenda or the Conservative Party – but he backed the right to free speech and open debate. I won’t always like what you write or the questions that you ask and I won’t always agree with what you say or the way that you represent the government. But that’s OK,” he said. “When the media holds governments accountable, exposes corruption and gives new voices a platform, it strengthens democracy. It enriches society. It builds the habits of freedom.”
A healthy, free press was “vital for the future of democracy”, he said, warning of the growing threat from abroad. He said: “They are united by their shared antipathy to our values and our freedoms and they are growing more assertive all the time.
‘Democracy depends on the ability to air our views, to challenge and interrogate people’s standpoints and to learn from different perspectives and experiences.” However, he said:
“New technology is being used to peddle propaganda and false narratives. Disinformation is fomenting division, undermining the truth and journalists themselves are even becoming the victims of deepfakes.”
He said his government had put in place a number of measures to reduce controls on journalism particularly in areas of abusive anti-publication injunctions and libel laws.
