The defamation trial in the claim by former president of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams, against the BBC, began this week in Dublin. Adams claims the BBC wrongly alleged he sanctioned the 2006 murder of informer Denis Donaldson and damaged his reputation as a peacemaker.

His lawyer told the High Court in Dublin that the BBC acted irresponsibly by broadcasting claims from a single anonymous source without verified evidence, calling it “reckless journalism.” The disputed claims appeared in a 2016 BBC NI Spotlight documentary and accompanying online article, which the BBC refused to retract upon Adams’s request.  Adams denies any involvement in Donaldson’s death, which the Real IRA admitted to in 2009. The BBC argues its reporting was in the public interest and met journalistic standards. Adams is seeking damages and has pledged to donate any compensation to charity. The trial is expected to last several weeks. BBC, City AM, The Irish Times, RTE, ITVX, Belfast Live, Belfast Telegraph and The Irish Independent covered the trial.

On 29 April 2025, Cavanagh J awarded Coleen Rooney 100% of the costs of Rebekah Vardy’s appeal in the defamation costs case of Vardy v Rooney [2025] EWHC 1027 (KB), given that the Respondent was “entirely successful at the appeal hearing” [8]. The Law Gazette and London Evening Gazette reported on the outcome.

Brett Wilson Media Law Blog has an article analysing the recent  case of Mullen and Lyles [2025] EWHC 645 (KB) decided by Fordham J.

Internet and Social Media

Clean Up the Internet has a blog on the US-UK Trade deal and the need to consider the implications of weakening the UK’s online safety laws to accommodate Big Tech interests.

Data privacy and data protection

The UK and Canadian data protection regulators have emphasised the need to protect customers’ sensitive data, including genetic and health information, during and after the bankruptcy proceedings of genetic testing company, 23andMe. In a joint letter to the U.S. Trustee, they stated that any buyer must comply with UK and Canadian data protection and privacy laws, warning they will act if data is mishandled. They welcomed the U.S. court’s appointment of a Consumer Privacy Ombudsman to oversee data handling and pledged to engage with the ombudsman once appointed. Read the ICO’s press release here and the joint letter in full here.

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined TikTok €530 million for transferring European user data to China without adequate safeguards against government surveillance and failing to inform users. The sanction marks one of the EU’s largest-ever data privacy penalties and a major setback in TikTok’s efforts to build trust in Western markets. TikTok has stated its intention to appeal the decision in full. Read the company’s response here. The WSJ, Politico, AP News, Reuters, CNBC and The New York Times, The Irish Times covered the decision.

Surveillance

A controversial new welfare fraud bill has sparked strong criticism from opposition MPs and disability advocates, who warn it could lead to mass surveillance of millions on means-tested benefits, particularly harming disabled people. The legislation would compel banks to share benefit claimants’ financial data with the DWP, triggering privacy concerns and fears of wrongful targeting. Despite concerns about eroding the presumption of innocence and comparisons to the Post Office Horizon scandal, the government insists the bill is vital to tackle fraud. A proposed amendment to limit data access to cases of suspected wrongdoing was defeated, and the bill now moves to the House of Lords. Disability News Service, The National Scot, Yahoo News and The Daily Record reported on the debate.

Newspaper Journalism and regulation

IPSO rejected a complaint from Essex Police against The Telegraph over its reporting on a police visit to columnist Allison Pearson last November, to discuss an incendiary social media post. Pearson claimed she was accused of a “non-crime hate incident,” though police denied using that term. Despite this, IPSO found The Telegraph had taken reasonable steps to verify the facts before publication, including contacting the police press office prior to release. The Press Gazette has more information.

Events

On Thursday, 5 June 2025, 9-10.30am: London International Disputes Week 2025. There will be sessions on Managing a data and misinformation crisis: The legal, forensic and PR perspectives and Litigating social media: a defamation labyrinth? Registration link here.

IPSO

Statements in open court and apologies

We are not aware of any statements in open court or apologies from the week.

New Issued cases

There was one defamation (libel and slander) claim and two miscellaneous claims filed on the media and communications list in the last week.

Last week in the courts

On Friday, 2 May 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed the Secretary of State’s appeal in the case of Liberty v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 571. Underhill LJ, Dingemans LJ and Edis LJ ruled that the government acted unlawfully in attempting to redefine “serious disruption” under the Public Order Act 1986 as anything “more than minor,” which would allow the police to impose conditions on processions and assemblies where an officer believes it may result in “serious disruption to the life of the community.” The court upheld that this lowered threshold exceeded the Secretary of State’s powers, affirming that “serious” implies a significantly higher level of disruption. Matrix has a summary of the judgement.

Media law in other jurisdictions

Belgium

Mischon de Reya has an article summarising the decision of the Belgian data protection authority, confirming its previous findings that the processing of sensitive personal and financial data by the tax authorities under the FATCA Agreement is illegal.

Balkans

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network has published a report arguing that biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies are rapidly expanding across the Balkans, particularly in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia, raising serious privacy and human rights concerns. Despite laws that often align with EU standards, weak enforcement and vague provisions enable government overreach, digital censorship, and suppression of dissent. Balkan Insight and Balkan EU have more information.

Canada

The Superior Court of Justice – Ontario dismissed the Respondent’s motion to set aside default judgement in the case of Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs v. Ireland, 2025 ONSC 2639, finding that the Respondent intentionally ignored the process and failed to provide a reasonable explanation for not having attended the hearing.

Germany

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, has formally designated the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) as a “confirmed right-wing extremist organisation” following a three-year investigation. The agency concluded that the party promotes ethnic-based policies that aim to devalue entire population groups by treating them as second-class citizens. The AfD has rejected the classification as defamatory and announced plans to challenge it in court. The decision is expected to reignite discussions about whether the party should be banned, though such a move would require a complex legal and political process, with senior officials urging caution. The Guardian, Reuters and MSN covered the story.

Latin America

Transparencia Electoral has created an index evaluating the laws on data protection during elections in 16 Latin American countries.

Nigeria

Meta has warned it may shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria after facing over $290 million in fines from Nigerian regulators. The penalties were issued by three agencies for alleged anti-competitive practices, unapproved advertising, and data privacy violations. Meta’s court challenge was rejected, and it now has until the end of June to pay. The company criticised the Nigerian Data Protection Commission’s requirements, including prior approval for data transfers abroad, calling them unfeasible. The BBC, Premium Times Nigeria and Daily Post Nigeria have more information.

Northern Ireland

A family falsely accused on social media and in newspapers of leaving a Derbyshire pub without paying a £150 bill has been awarded £75,000 in libel damages after settling their claim. Peter and Ann McGirr and their children were wrongly labelled “dine-and-dashers” in a Facebook post by The Horse & Jockey, which also shared CCTV images. The High Court in Belfast heard that the claims, repeated in several news reports, were entirely baseless and caused serious reputational harm. The pub has since issued a full apology, removed the posts, and agreed to cover legal costs. The BBC, The Telegraph, The Irish Times, Belfast News Letter and Belfast Telegraph covered the case.

Thailand

State prosecutors announced they will not pursue charges against American academic Paul Chambers, who was arrested in April for allegedly insulting the monarchy, which is an offence under Thailand’s lèse majesté law. Chambers, a political science lecturer, was accused of the offence in relation to a Facebook post quoting a webinar description, which his supporters claim was not authored by him. While the case has drawn international concern, the police authorities may still challenge the decision to drop the charges. The Independent, Jurist, MSN and The Diplomat covered the story.

Research and Resources

Next week in the courts

On Tuesday and Wednesday 6 and 7 May 2025 Nicklin J will hear a case management conference in the case of Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon v Associated Newspapers KB-2022-003316 and the associated cases of Hurley v Associated Newspapers, Sir Elton John and David Furnish v Associated Newspapers, Sir Simon Hughes v Associated Newspapers, Sadi Frost Law v Associated Newspapers and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers.

On Wednesday 7 May 2025 there will be a statement in open court in the case of PGMBM Law Ltd v Times Media Ltd.

On Thursday 8 May 2025, Murray J will hear an application in the case of Mahmod v ITV plc KB-2024-0010160.

Reserved judgements

Clarke v Guardian News and Media, 4 March – 4 April and 11 April 2025 (Steyn J).

This Round Up was compiled by Jasleen Chaggar who is the Legal and Policy Officer at Big Brother Watch.