11 Mar 11 | Uncategorized
At a rally in parliament yesterday, MPs and Peers responded to the Libel Reform Campaign’s blueprint for reform in advance of the publication of the Government’s defamation bill next week, saying this is a ‘once in a lifetime chance’ to radically reform the laws. Read the blueprint, What should a defamation bill contain?, here.
Lord Bach, Opposition Spokesperson for Justice, said that “reform of the defamation laws is clearly a cause whose time has come. This is a campaign that has massive support. I congratulate the Libel Reform Campaign on having got to this stage.”
His comments were echoed by other MPs and Peers.
David Davis, MP for Haltemprice and Howden, agreed that “we have a massive mandate for change here; there is no doubt about that. This is a once in a generation opportunity. If we get it wrong our children pay the consequences.”
Denis Macshane, MP for Rotherham, reiterated “this is not a once in a generation chance, but once in a lifetime. We cannot let this slip.”
Lord Willis of Knaresborough urged the campaign to continue to “use all of its might to make sure the Government’s bill is translated into real action.”
Lord Lester of Herne Hill said, “The problem for libel reform is we are not starting with a clean slate but with 300 years of case law.”
Read the rest here
07 Mar 11 | Uncategorized
Also posted on the Libel Reform site
The Government is due to publish its promised libel reform bill this month and we’ve just heard it could be as soon as next week. Your support has taken the campaign to this exciting point – can you help us again by writing to your MP?
We will be in Parliament on Thursday 10th March at 11.30 am in Committee Room 5 to launch our new campaign leaflet, “What should a Defamation Bill contain?” We need as many parliamentarians as possible to come and hear from us why they should support changes to the laws to protect free speech, scientific debate and internet publishing. Can you write to your MP and ask them to come along?
We will be joined by high profile supporters of the campaign and by people who have been affected by the current laws. Can you come too? You can still write to your MP and tell them you would like them to attend even if you can’t make it. You’ll be able to find your MP’s email address here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ and we have pasted below a suggestion of the words you could use.
After the publication of the Bill we will continue to work with publishers, bloggers, scientists, editors, film makers, journalists, consumer groups, ISPs and individuals to make sure the suggested reforms will protect our freedom to debate and improve access to justice for everyone. Please continue to help us by donating to our new fund: www.justgiving.com/libelreformappeal2011
Best,
Mike and Sile
Dear [my MP]
The Government is publishing its draft Defamation Bill this month. On Thursday 10th March the Libel Reform Campaign is launching their document on ‘What should a Defamation Bill contain?’
I support the campaign to change the libel laws to protect freedom of expression and access to justice for everyone. Will you attend the launch of the Libel Reform Campaign document at 11.30 am on Thursday 10th March in Committee Room 5?
I will be at the launch and hope to see you there.
Yours
04 Mar 11 | Comment, News and features
His three-year defamation battle may be over, but Hardeep Singh still faces an uphill battle to recover his costs
(more…)
02 Mar 11 | News and features
Libel claimant Johanna Kaschke has been refused leave to appeal a decision in her libel case against bloggers Alex Hilton and John Gray.
Kaschke’s case was struck out as an abuse of process in July of last year.
The German-born blogger and political activist has said she will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights but she would be appealing against the UK government and not the defendants directly. (more…)
