In the wake of the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal, few are likely to disagree that we ought to have more protections over the use of our data. The right to privacy is one enshrined in international convention. But it is vital that in striving to ensure we have greater control and oversight over personal information, we do not undermine another fundamental right in the process: that of freedom of expression, and, in particular, media freedom.

Next week, parliament will debate amendments to proposed data protection legislation that we at Index on Censorship – an organisation that has published the work of censored writers and artists and defended media freedom across the world for the past 46 years – believe could have disastrous consequences for media freedom in the UK.

A free and independent press is the cornerstone of democracy. A vigorous and inquisitive media is essential in holding power to account and exposing corruption. Without it, democracy crumbles. We need look no further for an example of its importance – and what happens when politicians fail to defend a free press – than to fellow EU member, Malta, where last year investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered by a car bomb after decades spent exposing corruption in her country.