To be worried about the threat to press freedom...

[Itisnoteasybeingdifferent]

In a nutshell, S40 will allow anyone to sue a newspaper for anything they like then claim costs from the newspaper when they loose... unless the paper belings to a stste sanctioned press regulatory body. ... who will in the nature of things side with the government if ever there is a dispute.

www.newsmediauk.org/Latest/section-40-government-says-pressures-on-press-industry-must-be-considered

This nasty bit of law will see the end of a free press and usher in state approved printed media... The internet may be more difficult.
however the Chinese have managed to curb the internet. It can happen here.

Meh.

Journalism has dug its own grave by operating without any kind of rules or integrity for so long.

Is the regulator now in place?

And the low-cost arbitration that is meant to be alongside?

WTF,
The is a state apporved regulator... but none of the newspapers have joined it. Presumably because the newspapers suspect that when they come to criicise a government minister... the state approved regulator will simply side with the state..

As Babycham says, they have ploughed a pretty rotten furrow. What is titilating interest to the public about a poloticians private life is not always the same as in the public interest but it does sell copy.

I am concerned this could undermine genuine quality reporting like the expenses scandal...

First the legislation allowing surveillance, now this. YANBU.

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/19/extreme-surveillance-becomes-uk-law-with-barely-a-whimper

It's grim stuff; yes, it'd crack down on the gruesome stuff that the tabloids do, but it'd make it impossible for reputable, investigative journalists like those in Private Eye to do their job.

Smalls,
indeed we are already the most spied on country in the world.. You cannot go anywhere without a police camers snooping your car number plate.. CCTV in buses, stations, shopping streets..

With auto face recognition being developed it won't be long before the state had the wearwithall to round up znyone who they don't approve of..