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Journalists are doing the best they can with their limited time to question the government

The tone has usually been right, with the press directly reflecting public disquiet, writes Sean O’Grady

Monday 30 March 2020 01:20 BST
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Reporters at the Downing Street press conferences are doing the job that used to be done by about 600 MPs
Reporters at the Downing Street press conferences are doing the job that used to be done by about 600 MPs

Without wishing to sound flippant at such a sombre time, you might not have yet noticed that parliament has packed up. Packed up, that is, for a longer Easter recess, stretching until 21 April. By that point we should be well into the peak of the coronavirus epidemic.

Given the government’s guidance, and the strictures of social distancing, it’s not clear how MPs and peers will be able to carry out their usual duties when (or if) they come back.

So the role of the media is more important than ever in holding the authorities to account – and I have to say the country’s journalists are acquitting themselves well.

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