New committee for journalists’ safety promises national action plan as first priority
every country, journalists perform a vital function in highlighting injustice, exposing corruption and holding Governments to account. A free media is one of the essential bulwarks of a free society. However, too often, journalists are subject to intimidation, violence, imprisonment and sometimes even murder. One year ago, the UK Government hosted the first Global Conference […]
John Whittingdale appointed Minister of State for Media and Data in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
John Whittingdale was appointed Minister of State for Media and Data in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. He said “I was delighted to accept the Prime Minister’s invitation to re-join the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as Minister of State responsible for Media and Data. Having served as chairman of […]
Great British Spring Clean
John Whittingdale has pledged his support for this year’s Great British Spring Clean, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The campaign, which runs from March 20th to April 13th, will see up to 600,000 people taking action to clean up streets, parks and beaches across the country. The Great British Spring Clean, run by […]
John Whittingdale signs Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment
This week John Whittingdale signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in doing so pledging [his/her] commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today. This year we are marking 75 years […]
Article for the Telegraph on the future of the BBC
In the election post-mortems, the BBC and Channel Four are again under heavy fire from all the parties. Many at the Corporation will argue that the fact that no side is happy is evidence that they largely succeeded in maintaining the balance. I have never believed that the BBC is biased in favour of a […]
NFU stand
John Whittingdale visited the NFU stand at the Conservative Party Conference and met NFU Deputy President and Essex Farmer, Guy Smith. John said: “Agriculture is still a major contributor to our local economy and I have regular meetings with the Maldon and Dengie NFU. I was therefore delighted to see Guy at the Conference. We […]
Wear it Pink for Breast Cancer
John Whittingdale supported the Wear It Pink campaign organised by Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now charities in Parliament. Wear It Pink Day is Friday, 18th September. John said: “I have been contacted by a number of constituents asking me to support this excellent campaign. Sadly, in our area, an average of 346 women […]
OSCE meeting
The Organization for the Security and Co-operation in Europe has three ‘general committees’ on Political Affairs and Security; Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and the Environment; and Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. John Whittingdale serves on the Political Affairs Committee. Watch the video of his recent contribution to debate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8fJm41TzpA
Tiger Trade
Tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, lions and jaguars are being killed to meet demand for their parts and products, mostly from Chinese consumers. This demand is being sustained and stimulated by government policies – particularly in China – which continues to allow legal trade in big cat products and the commercial breeding of tigers […]
IPU UK France meeting
A delegation of UK parliamentarians from both Houses led by the BGIPU Chair, Rt Hon John Whittingdale OBE MP, visited Paris on 26-27 June to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) with members of the French IPU Group. This visit recognised the significant role played by both parliaments in the founding of […]