Happy New Year to all readers. The Hilary Term begins on Monday 12 January 2026 and runs to Wednesday 16 April 2026. This Round Up covers news items since our last edition on 15 December 2025.

Ofcom is considering blocking X for failing to comply with UK online safety laws as its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok can be used to digitally undress people without their consent when tagged beneath images posted on the platform. Technology Secretary Liz Kendell has already said that she would back the regulator if they made the decision to block X in the UK. Elon Musk, the owner of X, responded by saying that the UK government “want any excuse for censorship.” Kendall said “sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent.” Indonesia has already taken the decision to blog Grok because of misuse of the technology. The BBC, The Times, Sky News, Reuters, and The Guardian are some of the many news outlets to cover this story.

On 15 December 2025, media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty in Honk Kong on national security charges in the most closely watched trial since Beijing’s crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement six years ago. Lai is 78 and has British citizenship. He was convicted of conspiring to commit foreign collusion and to publish seditious materials: he denies all charges. He now faces up to life in prison. Read the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Jimmy Lai verdict here. Donald Trump has asked Xi Jinping to release Lai, saying he felt “so badly” for the media tycoon. The Financial Times, Economist, Reuters, Guardian and Doughty Street Chambers are some of the many news outlets and blogs to cover the conviction.

The British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have launched defamation proceedings against the Irish broadcaster RTÉ over its coverage of their performance at Glastonbury. The legal action alleges Ireland’s national broadcaster defamed the group by claiming they led antisemitic chants at the festival last June. RTÉ’s allegation that the band made antisemitic chants were “categorically denied” and “entirely untrue”, Phoenix Law Solicitors, a Belfast-based firm hired by the band, said in a statement. Avon and Somerset Police have dropped their criminal investigation into the band. The Guardian has more information here.

On 15 December 2025, the Prime Minister confirmed to the Liaison Committee at the House of Commons that he will meet with the victims of press abuse. The PM’s agreement follows a letter sent by over 30 victims of the press, which sought a meeting with the PM. Hacked Off has more information here.

As we discussed last year, US President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC seeking up to $10bn (£7.5bn) in response to the editing of a speech he made before the 2021 attack on the Capitol. Documents filed at a court in Florida asked for $5bn (£3.7bn) in damages for defamation, as well as the same amount for a claim of violating trade practices under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The claim accuses the BBC of broadcasting a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction of President Trump”, calling it “a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence” the 2024 US presidential election. It also accused the organisation of “splicing together two entirely separate parts of President Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021” in order to “intentionally misrepresent the meaning of what President Trump said”. The Panorama programme was not shown in the US, but the lawsuit says it can be watched on the BritBox subscription streaming platform. The BBC previously apologised for the editorial error but denies there is any legal basis for the defamation claim and has said it will defend the case. The British Government has backed the broadcaster’s decision to defend the claim. The Press Gazette, Reuters, The Guardian, Al Jazeera and the BBC are some of the many news outlets to cover this issue. The Media Law Podcast also covers the lawsuit in its last Newscast of 2025.

Internet and Social Media

On 15 December 2025, Parliament debated the repeal of the Online Safety Act (OSA) after a petition reached over 550,000 signatures. Cyberleagle explains the lack of nuance in the petition’s demand for abolition, citing the frustration at the scope of the OSA rather than the principles behind it. Similarly, Clean Up the Internet has a post on the polls which suggest general public support for the Act, despite the petition.

From 8 January 2026, cyberflashing (sending unsolicited sexual images) has been elevated to a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. Tech firms, dating apps, and social media platforms are now legally required to block unsolicited nude images proactively before users see them — not just moderate after the fact. The Economic Times has more information here.

Data Privacy and Data Protection

Mishcon de Reya has an article arguing that privacy is not dead and worth fighting for, despite the technological and societal threats to privacy being greater than ever.

On 19 December 2025, the European Commission announced the renewal of the two UK adequacy decisions originally adopted in 2021, reaffirming that personal data may continue to move freely between the European Economic Area and the UK. The Privacy and Information Security Law Blog has more information here.

Surveillance

The Justice and Home Affairs Committee has published its report following their investigation into electronic monitoring and GPS tagging in the context of immigration, highlighting the ethical and legal concerns of this practice. Privacy International submitted evidence to the parliamentary committee and welcomes their findings, more information here.

Art, Music and Copyright

Permission to Appeal has been granted in Getty Images v Stability AI. The judge, Joanna Smith DBE heard the application in December 2025 and granted Getty permission to appeal the rejection of its secondary infringement claim, Getty Images (US) Inc & Ors v Stability AI Ltd [2025] EWHC 3343 (Ch). She refused Stability’s application to appeal the trade mark infringement finding, meaning that Stability will need to go directly to the Court of Appeal to seek permission. IP Kat has more information here.

Newspapers, Journalism and Regulation

The Press Gazette has published its monthly analysis of ABC national newspaper circulation figures.  It headlines with the fact that, in November 2025, the Sunday People had an average weekly print circulation of 36,594.  All national circulated newspapers declined in circulation, with the free titles City AM and Metro being the only titles to record an increase in circulation.   The Sun, Times, Telegraph and Guardian now keep their ABC circulations private but Press Gazette’s estimates the Sun is now at 550,000 with the Guardian down to 60,000.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has officially launched the process of renewing the BBC’s Royal Charter, with the publication of a Green Paper detailing the government’s areas of focus for BBC reform – along with a public consultation inviting the public’s responses to these proposals. The Media Reform Coalition has a blog post that outlines the MRC’s initial analysis of the Government’s Green Paper and consultation.

The LSE Media Policy Project has a blog post which discusses the lack of coverage of the hunger strikes of imprisoned Palestine Action activists in the UK media. The hunger strike is the largest in Britain since imprisoned members of the IRA went on hunger strike in 1980-1981. But the contrast in media coverage between now and the 1980s is stark as Palestine Action’s hunger strikes have been largely met with media silence.

IPSO

Statements in Open Court and Apologies

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

New Issued Cases

There were seven defamation (libel and slander) claims, one data protection claim and one injunction application filed on the media and communications list since 15 December 2025.

Last Month in the Courts

On Monday 15 December 2025, Guy Vassall-Adams KC heard an application in the case of CF&L Limited v Fraser KB-2025-003877.

 On Wednesday 17 December 2025, there was a PTR in the case of Various Claimants v MGN.

On the same day, judgment on meaning was handed down by Cavanagh J in Ranaie v Warland [2025] EWHC 3320 (KB). The parties were next door neighbours. The claim related to an email regarding the Claimant’s behaviour on the Defendant’s roof, which was sent by the Defendant to the Head of Human Resources of Moving Brands Ltd in 2023, the company at which the Claimant was Chief Financial Officer at the time. The Claimant contends that the email was libellous and caused her dismissal from Moving Brands Ltd. The Defendant said it was not libellous and was a statement of opinion. Cavanagh J found that the ordinary and natural meaning of the email amounted to Chase Level 1: it was clear that the Defendant was asserting that the Claimant has been guilty of harassment which amounts both to a criminal offence and a civil wrong. These were statements of fact, not opinion. These facts, alongside one statement found to be opinion, were defamatory of the Claimant.

On Thursday 18 December 2025 there was a PTR in the case of Baroness Lawrence and ors v Associated Newspapers KB-2022-003316 before Nicklin J.

On the same day there were a strike out applications in the cases of Uddin v Hatcher and others/Forsters LLP v Uddin KB-2025-002832/KB-2025-003673 and a hearing in the case of Hemming v Poulton QB-2020-003558.

On 19 December 2025, judgment was handed down by Vassall-Adams KC refusing the requests for interim injunctions in defamation, harassment and misuse of private information in CF&L Ltd & Ors v Fraser & Ors [2025] EWHC 3350 (KB).

On 23 December 2025, District Judge Snow quashed summonses in the private prosecution Campaign Against Anti-Semitism v Reginald Hunter.  He held that the Campaign was guilty of wilful, repeated failures to meet its disclosure obligations which demonstrated that “its true and sole motive in seeking to prosecute [Mr Hunter] is to have him cancelled” [21]  Comedian Reginald D Hunter was accused of sending an offensive communication on three occasions to Heidi Bachram on X on 24 August and 10 and 11 September 2024  The BBC had a report of judgment.

On 5 January 2026, judgment was handed down by Steyn J dismissing the appeal in Baig v Hassan [2026] EWHC 11 (KB). The order of Master Dagnall to set aside the claim form on the basis that the Court does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine the claim pursuant to s.9 of the Defamation Act 2013 was affirmed.

On the same day, Steyn J also delivered judgment in Optosafe Ltd & Ors v Robertson (Rev1) [2026] EWHC 12 (KB). The claimants succeeded in establishing their claims for breach of contract and harassment. Steyn J awarded damages and made a general civil restraint order for a period of three years against the defendant.

Media Law in Other Jurisdictions

Australia

Bruce Lehrmann, the former political staffer who previously lost his defamation claim connected to comments made during an interview with Brittany Higgins, has filed an application to the High Court of Australia seeking special leave to appeal the defamation ruling. The appeal contends that the original trial judge’s findings — including that, on the balance of probabilities, he had raped Higgins — were compromised because the judge allegedly conducted his own research and relied on material not admitted into evidence, undermining procedural fairness. The Guardian has more information here.

Australia’s privacy regulator (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, OAIC) announced its first ever targeted privacy compliance sweep to begin in early January 2026. The sweep will examine whether businesses’ privacy policies comply with requirements under the Privacy Act 1988 — including foundational Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Non-compliance could lead to infringement notices and penalties up to AU$66,000.

Argentina

Privacy International has published its research findings that the rights to a secret vote, privacy, and non-discrimination were undermined in Argentina’s October 2025 elections. Read more information on voting with Transparencia Electoral here.

Canada

A prominent Canadian folk musician, Ashley MacIsaac, has been widely reported as considering legal action against Google after an AI-generated summary falsely labelled him a sex offender, leading to cancelled concerts and reputational harm. The New York Post has more information here.

Manitoba politician Mark Wasyliw, who was kicked out of the governing NDP caucus, is suing Premier Wab Kinew and two other New Democrat legislature members. The statement of claim alleges that Kinew, Billie Cross and Ian Bushie defamed Mr Wasyliw with false and reckless statements during his removal from caucus in September 2024. Global News has more information here.

France

On 5 January 2025, a Parisian court found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, including allegations that she was born male. One defendant was sentenced to six months in prison, while eight were handed suspended sentences between four and eight months. All 10 were ordered to attend cyberbullying awareness training. AP News has more information here.

Hong Kong

As mentioned above, on 15 December 2025, media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty on national security charges.

India

In Bhopal, India, a criminal defamation and related forgery case was registered against senior politician Somnath Bharti following accusations that he posted false statements about another politician on social media, which the claimant contends damaged their reputation. The Times of India has more information here.

Ireland

Also on 18 December 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in Tweed v Amazon.com INC & Anor (Approved) [2025] IECA 279. The appeal was against Barr J’s decision in the High Court to refuse the Defendants/Appellants’ application for an order staying these proceedings pending the determination of High Court proceedings brought by the Claimant/Respondent against Georgetown University Press, as publisher of a book that the Claimant/Respondent contends is defamatory of him. The statement of claim seeks compensatory and aggravated damages against the Defendants for the refusal to cease sales of the book on their website despite requests and alleges delaying tactics by the Defendants. It is well established that the High Court has power to stay one set of proceedings pending the determination of related proceedings. Barr J himself indicated that a renewed application for a stay could be made further down the line. However, the Court of Appeal found that the Appellants failed to establish any sufficient basis to warrant interfering with the order of the High Court, and therefore affirmed the decision of Barr J.

The hip-hop group Kneecap has announced that it has begun legal action against Vince Gasparro, the Canadian Liberal Parliamentary Secretary, who posted a video on social media announcing an apparent ban on the group entering Canada. A statement from Belfast human rights law firm Phoenix Law said the group “have been subject to serious and unfounded assertions by way of a public video posted on a personal social media account which has caused substantial reputational harm.” Global News has more information here.

United States

As mentioned above, Donald Trump has filed a $10bn (£7.5bn) defamation lawsuit against the BBC.

Indiana joins the list of states to introduce a comprehensive consumer privacy law, the Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act, which took effect on 1 January 2026.

On 31 December 2025, the Federal Trade Commission announced that a federal judge had approved a $10 million settlement of its complaint against Disney for alleged violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The Privacy and Information Security Law Blog has more information here.

Research and Resources

Next Week in the Courts 

On Thursday 15 January 2026 there will be a pre-trial hearing in the case of Baroness Lawrence and ors v Associated Newspapers KB-2022-003316 before Nicklin J.  The judge made an order concerning applications to watch this hearing remotely on 9 January 2026 (having made a similar order in relation to the trial on 8 January 2026).  The trial is due to begin on Monday 19 January 2026.

Reserved Judgments

Feldman v Gambling Commission, heard 8 to 12 December 2025 (Eady J).

Hurst v Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, heard 27 and 28 November 2025 (Collins Rice J).

Ali v Hussain, heard 26 and 27 November 2025.

This Round Up was prepared by Colette Allen, the host of Newscast on Dr Thomas Bennett and Professor Paul Wragg’s The Media Law Podcast (@MediaLawPodcast).