NEWS RELEASE: Index criticises amendments to the Courts and Crime Bill

22Apr13
Index on Censorship has criticised amendments to the Courts and Crime Bill, which propose that media organisations that employ more than ten people and have an annual turnover of more than £2 million could face exemplary damages if they don’t join a press regulator. The amendments were passed by the House of Commons this evening.

Index CEO Kirsty Hughes said: “The vote today means that a wide range of organisations, both online and off will face the threat of exemplary damages if they don’t join the new regulator.  The attempt to exempt some small bloggers from exemplary damages is muddled and risks leaving many groups unsure whether they risk exemplary damages or not. The overall outcome will be chilling in its effect on free speech.”

Index opposes the statutory underpinning of a press regulator by Royal Charter.  Read our full response on Leveson, the Royal Charter and press reform and the potential impact upon free speech in the UK and beyond.