English PEN and Index on Censorship today welcome Jack Straw’s proposal to make dramatuc cuts to lawyers’ win fees in defamation cases, but warn that fees are only one part of a libel system in need of serious reform.
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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. We believe this is a case of such high public interest that it was incumbent upon a public sector broadcaster like the BBC to have held their ground in order to test in a Court of law the truth of the BBC’s report or determine whether a vindication of Trafigura was deserved.
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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 gaining ground, says John Kampfner
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Jack of Kent has posted a blog about the campaign to reform English libel laws launched this week by Index on Censorship, English Pen and Sense about Science. He writes:
“England’s libel law is currently a public danger and a public disgrace. There is something very wrong with English libel law; and the campaign launched today is a serious, highly-practical, and determined movement for change.”
To read the post in full click here