Written in 1954 to address the crimes of prostitution and homosexuality in Britain, the Wolfenden Report has been lauded as a liberalising document because it helped decriminalise homosexual sex, but it was quite repressive towards prostitution. Wolfenden’s writers argue it had greater implications than just public attitudes toward prostitution. The report liberalised the private sphere (by decriminalising gay sex) in exchange for greater government control in the public sphere (where prostitution largely operated). The book also tackles how maintaining public order is more important than ensuring the safety of prostitutes. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
