Do the Conservatives have the newspaper industry’s back?

It’s pretty clear where the majority of the UK’s “popular” press hold their political allegiances. Most of the so-called “red tops” are red only in the colour of the mastheads.

So does the loyalty go both ways? Well, according to The Conservative Manifesto, PM Theresa May will come out fighting for the newspaper industry if she wins next month’s general election.

The manifesto, which is undoubtedly a clear exercise in mutually beneficial back scratching, promises to halt the second-stage of the “flawed” Leveson Enquiry, repeal Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act as well as taking a stab at Facebook and Google’s growing dominance in the news distribution and advertising markets.

The manifesto states: “Given the comprehensive nature of the first stage of the Leveson Inquiry and given the lengthy investigations by the police and Crown Prosecution Service into alleged wrongdoing, we will not proceed with the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press.

“We will repeal Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, which, if enacted, would force media organisations to become members of a flawed regulatory system or risk having to pay the legal costs of both sides in libel and privacy cases, even if they win.”

The manifesto continues: “A Conservative government will develop a digital charter, working with industry and charities to establish a new framework that balances freedom with protection for users, and offers opportunities alongside obligations for businesses and platforms.

“This charter has two fundamental aims: that we will make Britain the best place to start and run a digital business; and that we will make Britain the safest place in the world to be online.

“We will ensure there is a sustainable business model for high-quality media online, to create a level playing field for our media and creative industries… We will ensure there is a robust system for protection of intellectual property when the UK has left the EU, with strong protections against infringement…

“Some people say that it is not for the government to regulate when it comes to technology and the internet. We disagree.”

While it’s refreshing for a government to have such a positive attitude towards the press (certainly when compared to Trump relationship with the media in the US), I do wonder if terms would be so friendly if the press wasn’t so positive to the current government.

So do the newspaper industry have a powerful friend in Theresa May or is this just lip-service to ensure their continued support in the run-up to what appears to be (although appearances can be deceptive) one of the most one-sided elections in decades?