"She was a pretty unique prime minister who achieved a great deal she brought back the self-esteem and confidence of the United Kingdom, " said Keith Batt, a 75-year-old retired Royal Air Force captain, who was strolling up and down Fleet Street, wearing a bowler hat and toting a large black umbrella, as he looked for a place to glimpse the procession.

WSJ: Global Figures Pay Respects at Funeral for Margaret Thatcher in London

Registering and obtaining a department licence, they argue, places them in the same strait-jacket that governs the kingdom's print media which is often viewed as practising self-censorship.

BBC: Jordan blocks 'unlicensed' national news websites