What do you make of the press who is applying to launch it's own royal charter?

It's rather strange, I cannot think of any other group in the UK allowed to make up their own rules, well except the politicians. Most other media sources such as TV and the internet are heavily regulated.

If it's ok im not going to apply certain laws to myself, I fancy raping and pillaging my way across the country, im sure nobody would mind...

It can hardly be called the free press imho, our largest media owner is not a UK citizen, he is not allowed to vote here, yet he gets to set the rules, he also has huge amounts of influence and is able to push his own personal opinions upon those the read his 'news' paper, these opinions are even helping form government policy at the moment, with kneejerk policies been churned out by an incompetent government.

I do not disagree with what MUGWUMPS has said, its a fair comment. However lets not jump to conclusions here.

What we are likely to see is the first Press Law for 300 years in this Country. Now if you give the upper hand to our Politicians than you will see something which is alien and dangerous for us all. Firstly all the whistle blowers (Much needed in this day and age when we are all taken for idiots by the Establishment) would be locked up, violent criminals would be protected and the press controlled with heavy handiness. People in high places who feel untouchable will be free to carry on regardless, because the Press would be obliged by Law not to inform on any activity that might be a concern to the general public.

So lets not wish for something, that we might all regret.

Let the Press set out their rules of conduct and if they fail to comply than there are laws already in existence to take them to task.

The Press are not applying for their own charter. At this stage they are offering an alternative to the one suggested by Parliament. Its like a negotiation, and this is the press' counter-offer.

I totally disagree with anything that interferes with the freedom of the Press. There are libel laws in place already and who really cares about they say about celebs. If they behaved themselves there would be nothing for the Press to report. Don't forget Councillors police themselves which is also very wrong.