Simon Jenkins on the MPs' expenses story: "Those who chant the obituary of the "mainstream media" might care to cite any electronic organisation able to put together such an investigation. Like the Guardian's recent disclosure of corporate tax avoidance, this work requires staff and resources. When the BBC tried to reveal the truth about the Iraq war dossiers, its cowering chairman and director general were driven by a mere Downing Street press officer into resignation. Crude, unfair, bolshie, whatever, the old-fashioned newspaper is still ­desperately needed to keep democracy on its toes. God forbid that it should ever cease. " Read More...