Letter: Free to breathe
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.YOUR BLEAK but salutary warning on the increasing dangers of asbestos ("Asbestos deaths to soar despite ban", 12 December) needs to be tied firmly to the need for effective Freedom of Information legislation. The success of the legal action against Turner and Newall in regard to the incidence of asbestos-caused mesothelioma in Armley, Leeds, could not have been achieved without gaining access to crucial papers in the USA under American FoI legislation which could not be prised out of the files in this country.
Even more of a paradox was my parliamentary campaign [as Liberal MP, Leeds West, 1983-87] against Digital, which was imposing US legislation here to the detriment of British computer companies. I was able to expose the extent of the scandal by reference to papers obtained from the Department of Commerce in Washington which could not be made available in the UK. Will the Government strengthen its Freedom of Information Bill in the light of these examples?
MICHAEL MEADOWCROFT
Leeds
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments