Lots of libel related news this week.Former Times legal manager Alastair Brett and the retired High Court judge Sir Charles Gray have launched their new Early Resolution scheme, as I’ve reported on Inforrm and Index on Censorship. The Daily Mail is threatening as well as defending libel action.

While this blog focuses on developments in the UK, a number of global stories stood out this week, as a reminder of the plight of journalists and bloggers in other jurisdictions.  Twenty-one Bahraini activists, including writers, have been sentenced to harsh jail sentences – eight for life. More on Index on Censorship here and here.

It’s a sobering reminder why we need to protect the right to openly protest and debate the way in which citizens are governed. In Mexico, meanwhile, two prominent crime journalists have been killed, raising questions about the threat on freedom of expression by the drug cartels.  And in Taiwan, it’s reported that a food blogger has been fined and sentenced to 30 days in detention for criticising a restaurant.

Here’s the rest:

Libel

• Media Guardian>>Daily Mail threatens ‘abusive’ blogger with libel action
• Media Guardian>>Desmond to Bower – I won’t waste time on your inflammatory comments
• HTFP>> Regional daily in libel payout to ex council boss
• Press Gazette>>’Belle de Jour’ ex in Sunday Times 100k libel claim
• Media Guardian>>Sunday Times loses libel disclosure battle with police
• Media Guardian>>Carole Caplin given green light to sue Daily Mail
• Media Guardian>> Editors need to accept that ‘the public interest’ is a key principle
• Press Gazette>>News of the World apologises for fake sex-texts tale
• Media Guardian>>Early Resolution offers a lifeline for journalists

Libel reform

• Inforrm>>Bar Council Law Reform Committee: Draft Defamation Bill Response – Part 1: Guiding Principles
• Inforrm>>Bar Council Law Reform Committee: Draft Defamation Bill Response – Part 2: Threshold, Responsibility, Truth and Comment

Privacy

• HTFP>> ‘Public figures’ can expect less privacy – top judge
• Index on Censorship>> Privacy concerns should not be used as excuse to bash press
• Tabloid Watch>> Daily Star: ‘shamelessly looking to cash in’
• Inforrm>>Opinion: “Don’t amend the Human Rights Act over the privacy row: a response to David Elstein” – Helen Wildbore

Whistleblowing

• Press Gazette>>Ed Balls calls in police over Daily Telegraph leak

Internet regulation

• Index on Censorship>> Child protection begins at home
• Index on Censorship>> ‘Voluntary’ website blocking scheme threatens free expression‎

Copyright

• Out-Law.com>>BT and TalkTalk denied appeal hearing over Digital Economy Act

Court reporting

• Press Gazette>>Publicity scuppers Bellfield kidnap case
• David Allen Green>> Cross-examination on trial and the murder of Milly Dowler
• Index on Censorship>> Open justice: Admission to Assange hearing ‘by ticket only’
• HTFP>> Newspaper wins six-week legal fight over consultant

Phone hacking

• Index on Censorship>> The Met and the bin bags
• Press Gazette>>Andy Gray accepts 20k for NoW phone-hack claim
• Press Gazette>>Phone-hacking: more claimants emerging week by week

Regulation

• Out-Law.com>>Businesses who commission fake reviews should worry about more than just illegality
• Index on Censorship>> The Times and media reporting
• Guardian>> Civil servant faces disciplinary action over ‘massive U-turn’ headline

Legal costs

• MST>> Legal costs reforms will virtually kill off CFAs

Miscellaneous

• Press Gazette>>’Victory for free speech’ in blog ‘harassment’ case

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