Jack Straw has noticed the clamour for change. Reform of our unfair defamation laws must now become a manifesto pledge, says Padraig Reidy
Keep up demand for libel reform
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CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Straw to review libel laws
The Ministry of Justice is to conduct a comprehensive review of England's defamation laws, which will be experted to report in mid-March, it was revealed today. The ministry's seemingly strong new commitment comes after over 10,000 people signed a...
Libel: BBC concedes to Trafigura
Index on Censorship and English PEN today have expressed dismay that the BBC has conceded the libel action brought by toxic waste shippers Trafigura in the High Court
A year of gagging
In 2009 the government, courts and the police have connived in the suppression of investigative journalism and scientific research. But campaigns for free expression are fighting back says
John Kampfner
Take on the libel bullies
Not everyone can be as lucky as I was, says Alexei Sayle. Our defamation laws are as outdated as barristers’ wigs and gowns
Lord Chief Justice will chair Singh appeal
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, is to chair the bench in what could be a landmark hearing for libel law in England. Lord Judge will preside over science writer Simon Singh's appeal against an earlier ruling on meaning in the case he is...
Tiger Woods wins UK injunction
Golfer Tiger Woods has gained an injunction from an English court against further reporting of his private life. Woods, 33 has been in the spotlight because of revalations of extra-marital affairs. Read more here
Iraq: Did Butler pull punches?
Chris Ames says the Chilcot Inquiry is highlighting flaws of previous Iraq war investigations
Climate change: free speech for the sceptics?
An Index on Censorship event on the politicisation of climate science reflected a growing debate, highlighted by “climategate”. Padraig Reidy reports
“Government is gagging Iraq inquiry”
The government’s control over what the Chilcot Inquiry can publish and the questions it can ask is providing a watered-down account of why Britain went to war and an easy ride for witnesses, argues Chris Ames