Everyone seems to be saying that they want a press that is free and fair, but it appears that the devil is in the detail. Parliament may vote, but that hasn't yet changed anything.
I am sure that many wiser heads than mine have been giving lots of thought to this, but I wonder if a 'free press' is a bit like 'free will' - you are free to make mistakes, that may ruin the lives of others.
Lurking underneath much of what the 'Hacked Off' campaigners and Lord Justice Leveson's report seem to be saying is that while we value finding out the truth, we don't have confidence that anyone in the media is really interested in the truth. Perhaps many are not convinced that there is such a thing as truth at all - just different versions of the same story.
Jesus had many arguments and disputes with the people of his day.
John's Gospel records several, in which he seems to choose to be deliberately controversial. So, in discussion with some people who are starting to believe in him, Jesus sets out to explore what true freedom is. 'Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8.31-32) It is striking that freedom comes to those who choose to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus, as that leads to us understanding the truth. Freedom comes from knowing the truth.
This seems to be the opposite of what the media claims for itself - if you have a free press, you will discover the truth!
But Jesus' hearers picked a fight with him, as they thought his talk of freedom suggested they were not free. Hence, with astonishing blindness to their own situation - they had been slaves in Egypt, exiles in Babylon, and were now under Roman occupation - they claim “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.' (John 8.33-36)
All this talk of freedom had blinded them to their own sin-bound slavery. The same needs to be said about those who trumpet the claims of a free press. Because all of us are inclined to twist the facts in any story to suit our own ends, we need help from outside to deliver us from ourselves. Only Jesus, the Son, can set us free from our sin-bound slavery. The clever ones amongst you will be able to tell me whether I am talking sense here.
Best wishes,
Richard
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