Monthly Archives: November 2010

PCC settles libel claim with media lawyer

According to a report by Press Gazette, the Press Complaints Commission has reached a settlement with media lawyer Mark Lewis, who sued the self-regulatory body for libel earlier this year. Media Guardian  reports: The commission [PCC] and the baroness [Buscombe, … Continue reading

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What to do about libellous Freedom of Information responses?

Some Friday food for thought on FoIs, which happens to coincide with David Higgerson’s similarly themed weekly post. Francis Davey, an independent barrister who advises technology and media companies in computer and internet law, raised an interesting issue on his … Continue reading

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Sense About Science releases legal leaflet for bloggers

Last week Sense About Science, one of the three main organisations involved in the campaign for libel reform, released a six page guide for bloggers: “So you’ve had a threatening letter. What can you do?” It is published in association … Continue reading

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Chandler 'super injunction': 'No public interest in breaking the law, simply to claim a scoop,' says BBC World News editor

“[S]ome months ago, the family of Paul and Rachel Chandler sought what is known as a “super-injunction”, prohibiting the media from reporting any developments in their case,” writes BBC World News editor, Jon Williams on the BBC Editors’ Blog following the … Continue reading

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Reframing Libel: Mullis and Scott propose two stream libel regime, with only most unusual cases going to High Court

This post was cross-posted on the Inforrm Blog. A two stream libel regime with most cases heard in the County Court or a tribunal, would reduce complexity and costs, argue Professor Alastair Mullis, from the University of East Anglia (left), … Continue reading

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A year on from the ‘Free Speech is Not for Sale’ report

A year has passed since Index on Censorship and English PEN published its Free Speech is Not for Sale report. Journalist and author Simon Singh, who successfully fought a libel action brought against him by the BCA (they dropped the … Continue reading

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Costs, corporations and citizen critics discussed at libel reform debate

Does Lord Lester’s defamation bill go far enough; and do his propositions make for workable libel laws? Panellists and speakers addressed a wide array of issues at yesterday’s Reframing Libel event at City University London. As my colleagues Oliver O’Callaghan … Continue reading

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Live blog at Reframing Libel Symposium

Tweets, links & comments at the Reframing Libel Symposium, at City University London. Live blog at this link.

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