A meeting to support writer science Simon Singh will be held today in central London, in advance of his libel case against the British Chiropractic Association.

Simon Singh will announce his decision whether to appeal.

Speakers:
journalist Nick Cohen
author and comedian Dave Gorman
Libdem MP behind abolition of blasphemy Dr Evan Harris
as well as Simon himself, introduced by Prof Brian Cox
Meeting will be chaired by Prof Chris Frence, editor of The Skeptic.

Background to the case is explained by the Economist:

Last year Dr Singh wrote an article in the Guardian about “chiropractic”, a type of alternative therapy used to try to treat back pain and ailments as varied as colic and ear infections in babies, by manipulating the spine. The article came out during “Chiropractic Awareness Week”, an event run by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), and it set out to describe the evidence for chiropractic’s success, and also the risks involved.
…
Unfortunately for him, his exact words were that the BCA “happily promotes bogus treatments”. The BCA sued for libel. And on May 7th Sir David Eady, a high-court judge, ruled, in a preliminary hearing, that the “natural and ordinary meaning” of the phrase (the relevant legal test) was that the BCA was being consciously dishonest and knowingly promoting quack treatments.

The case has ramifications beyond science writing—and beyond England. “Bogus” is a word with many appealing applications when commenting on business and politics, and English courts are generous in their interpretation of jurisdiction. In 2005 Sir David accepted a libel case brought by a Saudi-born billionaire against an American, regarding a book never published in Britain. A few copies had been ordered online by British residents. The defendant lost.

18 May 2009, 18:30 – 20:30
Downstairs Bar, Penderels Oak, 283 High Holborn, London
Facebook event page

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1. Liberal Conspiracy

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