Changes to data protection laws ‘will force local papers out of business’

♦ Labour’s calls for “draconian” changes to data protection laws will cause “irreparable damage” to local newspapers and could force some out of business, MPS will be told today.

In the run-up to a crucial vote in Parliament this week, newspaper editors have warned that amendments to the Data Protection Bill, put forward by Ed Miliband and Tom Watson, are designed to cripple local journalism.

Leaders from small and medium sized publishers today urge MPS to reject the changes, which would force media organisations to pay the costs of legal action, even when they win.

If passed, the amendment put forward by Mr Miliband, the former Labour leader, would also pave for way for a “second Leveson inquiry”, which the publishers say would only “embolden those” intent on keeping their activities “hidden from scrutiny”.

Speaking on behalf of the industry, editors said they were “deeply concerned” by the proposals, which they describe as “anti-press” and an attack on an independent journalism and “free speech”.

It comes after a number of Conservative MPS told The Sunday Telegraph that the amendments could stifle investigative journalism and deter newspapers from “telling the truth” amid fears of costly legal action.

MPS are due to vote on the amendments tomorrow.