UK introduces new libel law to end abuses

The United Kingdom has proposed a new libel law, virtually eliminating juries, sharply curtailing libel tourism, bolstering freedom of speech and protecting the press engaging in investigative reporting.

The Minister of State for Justice Lord McNally said, “We have been trying to get the balance right between proper protections and the oft-used accusation that the law as it operates now creates a chilling effect on free speech and on information right across the board, from academic and scientific work to proper investigative journalism. Media organisations are no longer the giants that they once were and they too can be intimidated by very large corporations threatening to take excessive action against them for what would be justifiable criticism. If that is the case it needs to be looked at.” -db

From The Guardian, March 15, 2011, by John Plunkett.

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