Posts Tagged ‘libel reform’
November 4th, 2011
Please join us in parliament on Wednesday 9 November to tell MPs why libel reform has to happen now.
The Joint Committee on the Draft Defamation Bill last week urged the government to strengthen their proposals for reform, in line with recommendations from the Libel Reform Campaign. There is still work to be done to protect free speech from the stifling effects of current libel law: to provide a stronger, wider and more accessible public interest defence; and to make sure proposals on the internet work for bloggers and forums.
Our biggest battle will be to make sure libel reform does not get pushed off a crowded parliamentary agenda. It is vital that ensure Parliamentarians know the strength of support for libel reform. Please join Index on Censorship, English PEN and Sense About Science and supporters including Simon Singh, Which?, Society of Editors, Global Witness, AOL and Liberty:
Wednesday 9 November 2011, 6pm
Committee Room 10, House of Commons
Every day we hear about new cases of scientists, publishers and bloggers being threatened with libel action. We have we got to this historic point with your support. If we let the momentum slip now, the opportunity for change could be lost.
We really hope you can join us to show MPs that libel law reform can’t wait. Please let us know if you can come, news
libelreform
org (newslibelreformorg)
A copy of the invitation can be found here.
October 19th, 2011
As Parliament takes a significant step in its slow removal of the UK’s pariah status on defamation, John Kampfner describes the progress on libel reform
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October 19th, 2011
The Libel Reform Campaign is calling for the government to honour manifesto promises for a defamation bill with a strong public interest defence to protect authors, bloggers, scientists, academics and NGOs
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August 23rd, 2011
Users of an online carers forum are devastated after their site is closed following threats of legal action. Emily Butselaar reports on a worrying instance of internet censorship (more…)
August 2nd, 2011
Liverpool John Moores university has dropped its libel case against Conservative MP Robert Halfon, who had criticised the university’s alleged commercial links with the regime of Colonel Gadaffi.
The university had objected to materials posted on Mr Halfon’s blog and on YouTube. Mr Halfon had initially removed the comments and videos from the web when contacted by the university. However, the John Moores’ continued with its demands, requesting that Halfon apologise and pay a “donation” to the university.
Halfon is a vocal critic of UK connections to the Libyan dictator. Elected as Conservative MP for Harlow in the 2010 election, he is descended from a Libyan Jewish grandfather who was forced to flee the country after Gadaffi took power in 1969.
Robert Halfon commented: “I’m pleased that LJMU has withdrawn their libel threat against me. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and people must have the right to express views even if they are unpalatable to some. I remain of the view that universities in general must be very careful as to which regimes they take their money from. I hope that universities who have had dealings with Libya and similar autocracies in the Middle East will think again before signing contracts or taking money.”
David Allen Green of Preiskel & Co, who was instructed by Mr Halfon, said the university’s action was “illiberal, confused, and misconceived” .
Michael Harris of the Libel Reform Campaign: “It is not acceptable that because of the inadequacies of English libel law, an MP can face libel action for raising legitimate concerns that a UK university may be dealing with a foreign dictatorship.”
(NOTE: Index on Censorship will be commencing a paid internship scheme in association with Liverpool John Moores University Journalism Department in Autumn 2011)
May 31st, 2011
Richard Wilson asks: Why would a London primary school employ the services of a political lobbying firm — and libel lawyers Carter Ruck?
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April 20th, 2011
NMT Medical, the US company which pursued cardiologist Peter Wilmshurst in the London libel courts for almost four years, has announced that it is ceasing operations and selling off its assets. (more…)
March 25th, 2011
Cardiologist Peter Wilmshurst is facing a fourth libel suit from medical instrument firm NMT.
The case relates to the writ NMT issued on 26th Nov 2010 about Peter’s interview on the Today programme on 27 Nov 2009.
