THIS newspaper is a champion of press freedom and will support any cause to resist impositions on that freedom.

But it is not blinkered into believing the press is above the law.

Recent cases have highlighted the problems courts are faced with when certain sections of the media decide to flout the rules and create an arena in which justice cannot be served.

In light of the Rosemary West case and the 'buying-up' of witnesses, ministers are now considering changes to the rules of contempt of court.

We support the principle behind such a move - to risk embellishment of evidence to make a quick buck is to risk the possibility of a despicable killer like West being freed to walk the streets on a legal technicality - but we balk at Governmental interference.

In 1966, following the Moors Murders case, a review was made of the rules of contempt of court and they should be strong enough now.

The self-regulatory Press Complaints Commission meets next week and we urge them to outlaw the practice of securing the stories of witnesses for cash.

If they do not, then we fear the Government will be forced to change the law - and they could take it a step too far and outlaw the media talking to any witnesses at all when the issue really is about offering money for information.

If that happens it could be the thin end of a particularly unpleasant wedge for the proud freedoms of the responsible press.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.