MARK ANDERSON and Chris Greenwell both suggest most newspapers are mere instruments of influence for the rich and powerful.

This diatribe seems to suggest an axe to grind rather than a constructive argument concerning the Leveson report.

The demise of the press is evident as far as the printed newspaper is concerned.

However, this has more to do with the internet than people being fed up with newspapers in general.

To gloat over what has been a trying time for newspapers – which had more to do with a total disregard by certain individuals and a naive general public naive – is wrong.

It is not the press we should be worried about but a parliament and establishment that has become arrogant and too eager to abuse us on a regular basis.

While Mr Anderson points out the failure of the newspapers, he conveniently ignores the good things the press has done – such as exposing the misdeeds of people who have been a threat to society.

One just has to look at the behaviour of our politicians and others of influence in our society who are offended when the plebs are told about their failures.

To allow the law of the land to legislate, as the Leveson report suggests and politicians are keen to do, smacks of Big Brother. It is the sort of thing I expect to see in a totalitarian state, not the UK.

I don’t believe for one moment that I live in a democracy, nor ever have in my 75 years, but I do believe we are nearing a situation where the suggestion of a free society is gone with the wind.

John Young, Crook.