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Ministry of Justice announces draft defamation bill
Mark Sweney guardian.co.uk, 9 July 2010
DATELINE: 11/7/10
The coalition government has unveiled plans for a major review of libel law in a bid to better protect freedom of speech and expression in the media and the research sector, and to cut down on "libel tourism". Today (9 July) the Ministry of Justice announced it is to publish a draft defamation bill that will be put out for consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny in the new year.
In a nod to the impetus that has developed behind the libel reform campaign, the government said it is seeking to introduce a bill as soon as parliamentary time can be found following the consultation process.
"Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy," said the justice minister, Lord McNally. "We need investigative journalism and scientific research to be able to flourish without the fear of unfounded, lengthy and costly defamation and libel cases being brought against them. We are committed to reforming the law on defamation and want to focus on ensuring that a right and a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation."
The government said it was seeking a wide range of views to reach a "fully informed assessment", adding that it recognised the impact of current law on freedom of expression, "particularly in relation to academic and scientific debate, the work of non-governmental organisations and investigative journalism".
It also said that the review would be looking at "options for addressing concerns around libel tourism", where foreign claimants bring their cases to English courts specifically to take advantage of more favourable defamation laws.
A review of libel legislation was a hot topic in the runup to the general election with the three main political parties making manifesto pledges to overhaul what is increasingly viewed as an archaic and unbalanced body of law.
The weight behind reform has gathered pace since Index on Censorship launched the libel reform campaign last November, in conjunction with English Pen and Sense About Science, with tens of thousands of people signing a petition.
Politically an important first step was made in March when Labour's then justice secretary, Jack Straw, announced a raft of proposals to overhaul existing law.
Last modified: Sunday, July 11, 2010
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World Press Freedom Day
More reporters are currently imprisoned in Turkey than in any other country in the world. Only a matter of weeks ago lawyers failed to persuade a Turkish court to release a 76-year-old journalist from a Turkish internet news station.
World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3, 2013 is being marked in Britain by a rally to highlight the dangers facing journalists in Turkey and in this podcast, Nicholas Jones speaks to Barry White, Organiser at the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Sam Bamford, the TUC's policy officer for Eastern Europe and Africa about the importance of a campaign to highlight international press freedom.
The World Press Freedom Day rally is being staged by the National Union of Journalists at the NUJ head office, Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 on Thursday May 2, 6pm-8pm.
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UK launch of EU media campaign
DATELINE: 13/3/13
The UK launch of a 'European Citizens' Initiative' calling for EU rules against concentration of media power will take place on Thursday March 21 from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Committee Room 4A at the House of Lords, London. Guest speakers will include actor and activist Hugh Grant (pictured), media consultant Claire Enders, Professor Steven Barnett, Barry McCall (President of the NUJ) and Marc Gruber (Director of the European Federation of Journalists).
A European Citizens' Initiative is an official petition, like a Downing Street petition. If it succeeds in gathering a million signatures across the EU, the Commission is obliged to respond.
This petition calls for the EU to act to protect media pluralism and press freedom.
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The media’s job is to inform and entertain us but we rely on them too to tell us what our rulers and representatives are up to. In the run-up to the Iraq war the government used spin and disinformation in the media to create panic and mislead people. The truth is coming out now, but we need stronger, more independent media to be able to scrutinise governments and make informed choices.
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Previous stories
Government Policy
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