Mr Gove defended the British press in his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. <\/p>\n
He called for caution over regulations, which he warned could be worse than the disease. And he called free speech a precious liberty for journalists even if some people found it offensive. <\/p>\n
At one point Lord Justice Leveson said: Mr Gove, I do not need to be told about the importance of freedom of speech. He asked if the Tory thought unacceptable behaviour should be tolerated due to the right to free speech. <\/p>\n
Ex-Times journalist Mr Gove replied: I dont think any of us can accept that behaviour necessarily, but there are a variety of sanctions. Some of us believe that before the case for regulation is made, the case for liberty needs to be asserted as well. <\/p>\n
Mr Gove said proprietors and executives would from time to time attempt to influence ministers but that robust politicians would listen but not bend. <\/p>\n
He described News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch as one of the most significant figures of the last 50 years, calling him a great man. <\/p>\n
c.grant@the-sun.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n See more here: Mr Gove defended the British press in his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. Continue reading
\nGove: Free press is a precious liberty<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"