The free press is one of the jewels in Britain’s crown, a tradition that has developed over the centuries as the UK has evolved into a mature, fully-functioning democracy. Four hundred years ago, the progenitors of the free press, like John Wilkes, held the king’s feet to the fire in pamphlets and magazines; a hundred years ago, the great journalists of their day worked on Fleet Street; today, you’re as likely to find exposés of corruption and skulduggery in independent news publishing sites as you are in the Guardian or the BBC. It is essential to protect journalism no matter where reporters ply their trade.

The right of journalists to report on the activities of the rich and powerful without fear or favour – to call it as they see it without worrying about their careers – has been hard won and should not be surrendered lightly. As George Orwell, the celebrated journalist and author, said: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”