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

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

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2. Daniel Walker

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3. Jae Kay

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5. Kirin Emlet Furst

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