LONDON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- British lawmakers are discussing new rules that would censor media outlets from reporting national security matters, sources say.
The Intelligence and Security Committee, a parliamentary panel charged with keeping watch on government security activities, is urging British officials to introduce legislation that would keep the country's media from reporting on stories affecting national security, The Independent reported Monday.
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said committee members also want to clamp down on reporting of certain police activities and is preparing to recommend a commission be set up to consider the proposals.
Britain has a voluntary code of media conduct under which the government can request that a story not be reported. But The Independent says ISC members are worried about leaks they contend can ruin investigations, which they say need to be legally banned.
A senior Whitehall source told the newspaper the ISC is set to recommend tighter controls on the voluntary system.
