5 Complete the chart with the noun forms

verb	noun
avoid account criminalize maintain withdraw embarrass disclose jeopardize

4. Read the text and answer the questions below. The question of secrecy

Britain is possibly the most secretive of all parliamentary democracies. The air of mystery surrounding the intelligent services fascinates the public, both in Britain and elsewhere. The success of Ian Fleming’s hero James Bond, the novel of Len Deighton and also John Le Carre`owes much to this fascination.

Secrecy may be romantic but it has serious implications in democracy. Parliament is unable to know what is undertaken by Britain’s intelligent services, on the ground that some MPs would be a security risk. Secrecy provides a protection against public accountability. It also gives the intelligence services a powerful hold on the country. Two main intelligent organizations exist:

MI5, which deals with internal security and espionage and MI6, Britain’s spy network abroad.

In spite of government silence, the existence of MI5 and MI6 was common knowledge for years. Both services received considerable public exposure during the 1980s because of open discussion in the press. MI5 was officially acknowledged in 1989 and MI6 (also known as the Secret Intelligent Service-SIS) only in 1992

The trouble is that the desire for secrecy in British government goes beyond the need to protect national security to the protection of politicians in power from embarrassment. Whitehall’s standard security handbook reads: ‘Precautions are needed…. To prevent foreign power from obtaining unauthorized and to avoid disclosure which would cause embarrassment hampering good government… ’ However, secret government is usually bad government as well as undemocratic.

• In what ways is Britain’s preoccupation with secrecy bad for democracy?

• Do you think officials should legally be able to disclose secrets ‘in the public interest?

- How does the British government’s attitude to secrecy compare with that in your own country?

Writing

Write about:: Should the media represent the ‘national’ or ‘public’ interest?

UNIT 6

Privacy and self-regulation of the press

Before reading

Discuss the following questions in pairs:

• Is there a balance between the public’s right to know and the individual’s right to privacy?

• How damaging may irresponsible reporting result in ruining people’s life?

• Should there be any degree of control over press stories?

• What measures may be helpful in protecting individual’s privacy?

1 Check the meaning of the words in bold in your dictionaries then group the ideas:

• 1 = Things typical for irresponsible tabloid.

• 2 = Things typical for offended individuals

• 3 = Things typical for public indignation

a) growing popular disgust

b) prime targets

c) to escape from voyeurism

d) being chased by paparazzi

e) the blurred pictures

f) selling extra copies

g) circulation leap up

h) voyeuristic appetite

i) court the press

j) no relevance to any public issue

k) the victims of inaccurate reporting

l) ombudsmen from inside the papers

m) a final court of appeal

n) outraged members of the public