- Am I correct that charter signifies the following?
Yes
- I don't understand why the press'd regard it so, when they have in-house lawyers who'd disadvise them so?
This is a literary technique: the author and the press know it isn't a private charter but the press would like it to be one and that it sould be interpreted in such a way that it enables them to do what they want it to do. The press are lobbying for their interpretation - not the actual interpretation.