links for 2007-05-20

“The latest Post tidbits speak to two of the frequent charges against Murdoch: that his papers are sensationalistic and ethically-challenged, and that he likes to direct news coverage, including allegedly killing stories that might anger his business frie

Southern Daily Echo Ian Murray gives an account of his encounter with Lord Falconer at the Media Law Conference. Murray is concerned about the draft Coroners Bill.

“I don’t know what’s more depressing; the idea that our MPs haven’t read their own legislation, or the idea that they think we can’t.”

“[Jonathan] Pearce who literally had hold of [Didier] Drogba in what was almost a WWE-style headlock. He got his interview, but Drogba could say nothing of interest.”

“The proposed legislation will go for a third reading in the Lords next month, but peers are already planning to put down an amendment that would exempt the second chamber from the legislation, making their business far more transparent and open than that

“[David MacLean, the] The Conservative MP behind moves to exempt MPs from freedom of information legislation bought a £3,300 quad bike on parliamentary expenses.

“There is no case for exempting the Commons from FOI. Any issues of confidentiality that arise from MPs’ correspondence with constituents are covered under data protection legislation, as MPs know only too well.”

“Revelations about the deployment of Prince Harry to a war zone will be censored if the government agrees to a proposal that future information surrounding his military career is covered by a D-notice.”

Is Times editor Robert Thompson being lined up to edit the WSJ if Rupert Murdoch completes the deal? And if so, is Sunday Telegraph editor Patience Wheatcroft to replace him at the Times? Times to launch in Dubai.

Is ‘hyperlocal’ news the salvation for local papers? Peter Preston looks at Bluffton Today: “Today is a real community newspaper because the community defines its agenda and provides its material – with circulation success in wait only a little further do

Robert J.Samuelson: “If the Internet permanently crashed tomorrow, I’d be thrilled. Still, the sky-is-falling view of the news business is a triumph of heart over head. Parts of the news complex are expanding.”

Melissa Kite has experienced a misogynistic response to some of her articles from commentors on Britain’s conservative political blogs.

Nine young Forbes.com staffers “have recently fled”, along with at least 50 other editorial staff since 2005. The churn, some say, is because of a “page-view sweatshop” conditions at the business web site.

Nick Turner: “After Tuesday’s meeting at UCLAN’s journalism department I think we can now say that the Digital Editors’ Network is now up and running.”