Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, has praised the important role of the media amid the danger posed by ‘armchair journalists’ and fake news online.

Speaking at the Society of Editors Future of News Conference taking place in London on Tuesday 25 March 2025, Hoyle said that journalists play an important role ‘teasing out the truth’ and ensuring politicians are held to account.

He said: “Every day, your reporters try to tease out the truth, ensure politicians, such as me, are doing the right thing by our constituents and Parliament. They work to ensure that people have a voice on matters that concern them, or uncover wrongdoing by corporations, political parties, and others.”

Sir Lindsay said that accredited media play an important role countering the rise of fake news and disinformation online and that, alongside MPs safety, the safety of journalists was an issue that concerned him. 

He added: “We have all seen the damage that can be done to families when so-called ‘armchair journalists’ get hold of rumours and innuendo and turn them into facts.

“They are not NCTJ trained; they do not know the law, or answer to the Editor’s Code of Conduct. Just as I am concerned about MPs’ safety – the safety of journalists also concerns me.

“Just as MPs should be able to go about their business, free from threats and intimidation – so should you. We are beyond lucky to have a free Press even if we politicians are sometimes at the sharp end of it. I will forever defend your right to free speech and to do what you do safely – and without interference.”

Addressing the gathering of more than 150 editors and news leaders in London, Sir Lindsay also used the opportunity to highlight the importance of the Speaker’s role acting as an ambassador for the House of Commons “both at home and abroad”.

He added: “Speakers have represented the House on the international stage, at a range of interparliamentary events, including the G20 Speakers’ Conference; the G7 Speakers’ Conference, the Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference and the Council of Europe Speakers’ Conference.

Highlighting the G7 and G20 Speakers’ conferences, Sir Lindsay said that participation at the events had given the opportunity to “raise the profile of Ukraine, to make a difference.”

He added: “Even when on some trips, I have almost been in the air longer than I have been on the ground, just to get there I think it is worth it to be that voice in the room, that speaks out against Russian aggression.”