Category Archives: comment

The sting of free expression: Forsskål, Rusbridger and Murdoch

Posted on November 11, 2011 by

“To this [civil] liberty, the greatest danger is always posed by those who are the most powerful in the country by dint of their positions, estate, or wealth. Not only can they easily abuse the power they hold, but also … Continue reading →

Posted in comment, freedom of expression, freedom of information, human rights, media ethics, phone hacking, press freedom | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Draft defamation bill committee on online liability and limitation

Posted on October 24, 2011 by

I’ve just compiled last week’s media law round up for the Inforrm blog, which opened with the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Draft Defamation Bill’s first report. Its recommendations concerning internet publication jumped out at me. If adopted, they would … Continue reading →

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Guest post: Judge forbids live tweeting in Isle of Wight case

Posted on August 8, 2011 by

The hyperlocal site, VentnorBlog, was at the High Court at the end of July, to cover a Leave Hearing for a Judicial Review between an Isle of Wight resident and the Isle of Wight council. In this guest post, VB’s … Continue reading →

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Cleland Thom: Laws that can criminalise journalists

Posted on August 5, 2011 by

In this guest post, Cleland Thom, a media trainer, argues that there is a “frightening range” of English legislation that inhibits good journalism There is an increasing range of legislation that can criminalise journalists. The alleged law-breaking by journalists at … Continue reading →

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Guest post by Barry Turner: 'Phone Hacking – more regulation is not the answer'

Posted on July 21, 2011 by

Guest post: The future of regulation as seen by Barry Turner, senior lecturer in media law, the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, Nottingham Trent University At last Friday’s dramatic press conference the Prime Minister announced that two inquiries would be … Continue reading →

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Jon Slattery: Balanced court reports can add to pain of murder victims' families

Posted on June 28, 2011 by

Guest post by Jon Slattery Torture is how the Sun sums up what the family of Millie Dowler were put through during the trial of Levi Bellfield. The story is aimed at the treatment of the family by defence lawyers … Continue reading →

Posted in comment, courts, guest post | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

MST: Libel and the public – we're all publishers now

Posted on January 13, 2011 by

I’ve written a short piece for the Media Standards Trust blog about libel reform and the public, in regards to online publishing. I look at the multiple publication rule and why I think we’re only at the very beginning of … Continue reading →

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