In a recent post on Inforrm, my good friend Dr Paul Wragg sets out a detailed argument critiquing the High Court’s recent decision in Cliff Richard’s successful privacy claim against the BBC (Richard v BBC). Wragg takes the view that the reasoning of Mann J in the case is deficient in a number of respects, and that his disposal of the case is unsatisfactory. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Month: July 2018 (Page 1 of 4)
This is our last weekly round up of the legal year. The Trinity Legal term will end on Tuesday 31 July 2018. The summer legal vacation will run for 2 months with the Michaelmas Term beginning on Monday 1 October 2018. Continue reading
Amidst considerable media attention, and the continuing attention of legal commentators, Sir Cliff Richard won his privacy case against the BBC for its coverage of a raid on his home during a police investigation of historic sex offence allegations against him, and its naming of him as the suspect. Mann J confirmed Sir Cliff’s strong privacy right in the circumstances, and criticised the national broadcaster’s over-zealous journalistic practices in running that story. Continue reading
This August, the Government of Canada will kick off its fourth plan on open government. The introduction of this strategy will be a culmination of nearly a year of consultations as well the anniversary of Canada’s assumed seat on the Open Government Partnership (OGP) steering committee, “a global multilateral initiative [aimed at] securing solid commitments from governments to promote transparency” and other forms of better governance. Continue reading
All deaths are sudden, even if long expected. Appropriately enough, this is the opening sentence of a book called Journalism in a Culture of Grief. And if ever there was a time of grief for journalism in Australia, it is the announcement that Nine Entertainment is taking over Fairfax Media. Continue reading
One of the marvels of the modern national press is its limited self-awareness. Here’s a small example: among all the pieties uttered about press freedom after the Sir Cliff Richard judgment (there is a helpful selection here), it never occurred to any editor to declare an interest. Continue reading
The Annual Report of the Courts Service of Ireland [pdf] reveals that defamation claims are at an all time high, with 152 claims issued in the High Court and 135 claims issued in the Circuit Court, a total of 287. Continue reading
YouGov Poll: Public backs Court’s decision in Cliff Richard Case, 86% favour investigation anonymity
A YouGov opinion poll conducted on 19 and 20 July 2018 has shown overwhelming public support for pre-charge anonymity of suspects. The results are startling: 86% of respondents support the anonymity of suspects under inviestgation and 83% support the anonymity of those arrested. Continue reading
Mr Justice Mann’s judgment in Sir Cliff Richard’s claim against the BBC ([2018] EWHC 1837 (Ch)) was the biggest media law story of the week (and, indeed, of the year so far). Continue reading
There are three reasons why I think the case of Sir Cliff Richard v BBC is wrongly decided. Firstly, it seems to me that whilst a wrong has been done to Sir Cliff, this was committed by the police when it, or someone within it, disclosed information to the BBC that Sir Cliff was being investigated as part of Operation Yewtree (it must be stressed that the CPS announced on 16 June 2016 that no charges would be made against Sir Cliff and that, as was said in court, ‘he is an innocent man in the eyes of the law’). Continue reading
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