Police have been arresting journalists for reporting news – in the UK! I might not agree with Stop Oil tactics but arresting journalists is not the democracy I was born into.
The 4th estate is much maligned by myself. However if we leave aside the blatant bias shown by most of the MSM regarding politics and the economy, even the Daily Mail has an awareness of its duty to hold the government and its agencies to account.
Protection of the rights of journalists is paramount to the survival of democracy. Since 1990 2658 journalists have been killed “doing their jobs”. Yesterday a female journalist was arrested, searched, had DNA samples taken and was in a cell for 5 hours for doing her job. The police were either exceeding their powers or have been given too many powers. An instant apology will be needed by not only the Hertfordshire Police, but also the Home Secretary before it goes to court and costs the tax payer unnecessary expense!