Libel reform to be introduced earlier
The Libel Reform Campaign has welcomed the announcement this afternoon by justice minister Lord McNally that the new coalition government will prioritise and bring forward a Libel Reform Bill by the 2011/2012 Parliamentary session, after a consultation this summer.
After a national campaign that mobilised 52,000 supporters, English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science persuaded all 3 political parties to adopt libel reform in their general election manifestos.
The lack of a robust public interest defence for writers, scientists and human rights activists has led to English libel law being condemned by the UN human rights committee and Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport select committee.
In recent years, there have been increasing instances of ‘libel tourism’ where wealthy foreign claimants use the High Court in London to silence their critics.
Another area of concern is the multiple publication rule, which counts every internet visit in a new jurisdiction as a new instance of defamation, this judicial ruling predates the light bulb yet is still used in judgements in internet defamation cases.
Currently, 90% of libel cases in England and Wales are won by claimants, taking a case here costs 140 times the European average, and in a survey of GPs, half said they do not discuss drug safety because of fear of a libel action.
Jonathan Heawood, the Director of English PEN said:
Until the Libel Reform Bill is actually passed, the right to free speech in this country will be conditional on writers or scientists having deep pockets or a willingness to fight for years through the Courts. It should no longer be a matter for judges but Parliamentarians should decide on how we balance free expression and reputation.
From a press release
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Reader comments
Hold on, the Coalition are doing something positive? And you’re reporting it?
I look forward to reading Sally, Claude Carpienteri, Paul Sagar, Tom Miller and anyone else why libel reform has suddenly become evil and should be opposed by brave Labour.
“Hold on, the Coalition are doing something positive? And you’re reporting it?
I look forward to reading Sally, Claude Carpienteri, Paul Sagar, Tom Miller and anyone else why libel reform has suddenly become evil and should be opposed by brave Labour.”
Well, this is a liberal blog, not an anti-coalition blog. I think you should probably wait for someone to actually be hypocritical about this before complaining about it.
I for one don’t like the coalition on economic policy, but they seem to have their heads screwed on right when it comes to civil rights. They should absolutely be lauded for this move.
Chaise
the silence, suggests that not everyone on LC is as willing as you to praise good things regardless of which party kicked them off.
Sadly, it seems that for some here, the meme that __the Tories are evil__ is such a precious worldview, that it trumps rejoicing over good things being done.
Ie they are putting party loyalty above what’s good for the country.
Unless the silence is just Friday night down the pub after a hot day…. :<)
Hold on, the Coalition are doing something positive? And you’re reporting it?
If the coalition does something right, we report it. If Labour do/say something stupid, we complain about it. Anyone who’s spent a bit of time reading this site would know that.
“the silence, suggests that not everyone on LC is as willing as you to praise good things regardless of which party kicked them off.
Sadly, it seems that for some here, the meme that __the Tories are evil__ is such a precious worldview, that it trumps rejoicing over good things being done.
Ie they are putting party loyalty above what’s good for the country.”
As I type the fifth comment in over 24 hours, I’m finding it hard to argue with that.
Meh. Even before the election I felt that I could handle a Tory victory by consoling myself with the likely improvements to civil rights.
Reactions: Twitter, blogs
- Liberal Conspiracy
Libel reform to be introduced earlier http://bit.ly/dbB1Sf
- Daniel Walker
Us journalism students learn libel laws and then they get changed! RT @libcon: Libel reform to be introduced earlier http://bit.ly/dbB1Sf
- Jae Kay
RT @libcon: Libel reform to be introduced earlier http://bit.ly/dbB1Sf
- Matt Dodd
RT @libcon: Libel reform to be introduced earlier http://bit.ly/dbB1Sf
- Kirin Emlet Furst
Support free speech! http://bit.ly/dbB1Sf #libelreform
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