Meeting to support Simon Singh today
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
---------------------------
| Tweet |
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Reader comments
Well, this country’s libel laws are a disgrace, so Singh absolutely deserves support on that score. But the interpretation of his words by the judge sounds pretty fair to me – surely that is what Singh meant?
I think he was just being polite when he used the word ‘bogus’.
Clearly he meant ‘bullshit’.
If you read a careful account, the judge appears to have ignored the context given by the adjacent paragraph:
http://jackofkent.blogspot.com/2009/05/bca-v-singh-astonishingly-illiberal.html
Reactions: Twitter, blogs
- Liberal Conspiracy
New post: Meeting to support Simon Singh today http://bit.ly/T2vEZ
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
You can read articles through the front page, via Twitter or RSS feed. You can also get them by email and through our Facebook group.
» Why Quantitative Easing doesn’t make common sense
» Barclays was also bailed out – Diamond doesn’t deserve a bonus
» Ten myths about private rented housing
» Even on the left, morality has its limits
» The NHS bill could be a Waterloo moment for the govt
» Ken Livingstone and gay rights – it just isn’t an issue
» Abu Qatada deportation: what about our principles?
» New study shows a Robinhood tax would boost growth
» In defence of Sky News’ re-Tweeting ban
» Another reason to continue banker bashing
» An attack on the wind industry is an attack on UK jobs
|
5 Comments 15 Comments 17 Comments 26 Comments 42 Comments 21 Comments 13 Comments 49 Comments 11 Comments 78 Comments |
LATEST COMMENTS » BenSix posted on Fabians change policy on unpaid internships » Have Labour realised the election is more than three years away? | My Blog posted on Labour's wonks are becoming part of the problem » Owen Blacker posted on Dorries says Osborne wanted Lansley "shot" » Richard Blogger posted on Dorries says Osborne wanted Lansley "shot" » Daniel Henry posted on Dorries says Osborne wanted Lansley "shot" » nonny mouse posted on Dorries says Osborne wanted Lansley "shot" » Socrates posted on Dorries says Osborne wanted Lansley "shot" » Bloody Yank posted on Why Quantitative Easing doesn't make common sense » Bloody Yank posted on Why Quantitative Easing doesn't make common sense » Robin Levett posted on An attack on the wind industry is an attack on UK jobs » kernowjim posted on High pay - in football and banking - shouldn't be about morality » ROFLMFAO posted on Fabians change policy on unpaid internships » Cherub posted on High pay - in football and banking - shouldn't be about morality » jojo posted on Venables journo has manslaughter conviction » Sun journos nicked in hack enquiry shocker « andrew henley posted on Venables journo has manslaughter conviction |








