Few will have been surprised by Ofcom’s recent verdict that GB News broke due impartiality rules by featuring politicians like Jacob Rees-Mogg and Esther McVey as news presenters. However, the regulator’s decision to handle GB News with kid gloves by putting it on notice whilst refraining from imposing statutory sanctions raised an eyebrow or two. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Month: April 2024 (Page 1 of 2)
On 25 April 2024, Collins Rice J delivered a decision on damages for the successful claimants in Blake & Anor v Fox [2024] EWHC 956 (KB). Mr Blake and Mr Seymour were awarded £90,000 each to redress the damage to their reputation caused by Mr Fox’s baseless allegation that they were paedophiles. Inforrm has more information here. Continue reading
In a judgment handed down today in the case of Blake v Fox ([2024] EWHC 956 (KB)) Collins Rice J awarded £90,000 damages to each claimant and granted a permanent injunction. Continue reading
Scotland’s new hate crime law came into force on April 1, sparking immediate controversy over its potential effects on freedom of speech and expression, especially online. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act expands on current laws about crimes that have the possibility to stir up hatred, in Scotland only. Continue reading
Actor Hugh Grant has settled his phone hacking claim with the Sun Newspaper after alleging that he was targeted by journalists and private investigators. The misuse of private information and invasion of privacy claim was due to be heard in January 2025, however a substantial Part 36 offer was made. Continue reading
Columbia Global Freedom of Expression seeks to contribute to the development of an integrated and progressive jurisprudence and understanding on freedom of expression and information around the world. It maintains an extensive database of international case law. This is its newsletter dealing with recent developments in the field. Continue reading
Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson’s victory in the defamation action brought against them by Bruce Lehrmann is the second big win inside a year for the Australian media using the defence of truth. However, it comes at a heavy cost to the reputations of the industry and the profession of journalism. Continue reading
Bruce Lehrmann has lost his defamation suit against Channel Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson after the media defendants proved, on the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann raped his colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. Continue reading
It took just two years for the idea of an anti-SLAPP statute to go from a grassroots movement in the UK to its realisation in legislation. There are obvious problems with the resulting anti-SLAPP provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“ECCTA”), and the more general “SLAPPs Bill”, currently at the Committee Stage. Both are overinclusive in their definition of “SLAPPs”, and the burden they place on claimants is likely to lead to problems with access to justice. But what should be done about SLAPPs? Continue reading
A letter co-ordinated by the Anti-SLAPP Coalition to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk seeks an amendment to the anti-SLAPP bill making its way through Parliament. The letter, signed by editors from publishers like The Times, Guardian and Daily Mail, requests that an objective test be used to determine the intent of the claimant, rather than the subjective test currently proposed. Continue reading
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