FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, OR LACK OF IT.

A Greek magazine editor/journalist, Kostas Vaxevanis, is facing trial for naming over 2000 wealthy countrymen for tax evasion, and could face a prison sentence for breaching privacy laws. Evidently, he passed the list to the Greek Parliament, who appear to have had no intention of acting upon this information, which for some was too close to home. Therefore, Mr. Vaxevanis decided to make public the list. So what is wrong with this act? Well, what we need to consider is, when is a Democracy not a Democracy? His country is suffering a financial crisis, admittedly much to do with their own haphazard approach to their general tax regime, and, of course, the stupidity of them being allowed to join the 'Eurozone'.

Greece is not alone regarding the imposition of privacy laws, which invariably shelters the 'great and bad'. France protects such characters; recently we have seen the downfall of Strauss Kahn. Had France not had these protective laws, his activities would have surfaced a long time ago. The laws mainly protect the wrong- doer.

Here in the UK, following the enquiry into phone hacking by Lord Justice Leveson, we could be following suit; creating our version of protection from the prying press. Evidently, the Labour Party would love this kind of cover, having requested that whatever the Judge's findings, they should be implemented.

THIS WOULD BE A SHOT BETWEEN THE EYES FOR DEMOCRACY.