One of the many unfortunate side effects of life in lockdown has been an increase in online abuse, with police, cybersecurity firms and charities alike reporting an increase in online stalking and harassment, as well as a surge in cases of revenge porn. Lockdowns cause internet use and screen time to increase, while making it harder for victims to conceal their location or avoid social media. As a result, not only is online abuse more frequent, but its effects even can be even more devastating. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Category: Harassment (Page 2 of 6)
In Sube & Anor v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Anor (Rev 1) [2020] EWHC 1125 (QB) the High Court emphatically rejected a claim for harassment against media organisations. The case highlights the difficulties faced by claimants in harassment proceedings against media organisations, as it must be found that the conduct by the media organisation constituted a conscious or negligent abuse of media freedom. This will, unsurprisingly, be difficult to prove in most cases. Continue reading
The case of Sube v News Group Newspapers is a rare claim for harassment brought against a media publisher – only the second such claim to have proceeded to trial in England and Wales. In a judgment handed down on 7 May 2020 ([2020] EWHC 1125 (QB)), Warby J dismissed the claims brought against News Group and Express Group. Continue reading
On 21 April 2020, Nicol J granted summary judgment in a matter involving the online publication of covert recordings of intimate footage featuring both parties to the proceedings (BVG v LAR [2020] EWHC 931 (QB)). Continue reading
January 2020 sees two significant steps towards the UK improving regulation of social media companies. The government confirmed in the December Queen’s Speech that it would legislate to tackle “online harms”, and is now expected to provide some more details of how it will take this forward. Meanwhile, in the House of Lords, an Online Harm Reduction Bill was tabled on 14 January. Continue reading
The approach of a rare December election in the UK has many campaigners feeling chills. What misery awaits them on the dark, cold streets as they try to convince voters to support their party? My preliminary research reveals that the women who bid for political office over the next six weeks have more to worry about than sore feet and aggressive dogs. Continue reading
Public order cases involving protests have always sparked controversy, with the collision between the state’s responsibility to ensure the smooth running of civil society and the individual citizen’s right to draw attention to what they regard as a pressing moral concern. Continue reading
In a major change to the media litigation landscape, wholly new version of CPR 53 and its Practice Directions have been published along with a new Pre-Action Protocol for all media and communication claims. Continue reading
Case Law: Hayes v Willoughby, Injunction granted in leading harassment action breached – Samuel Rowe
On 8 March 2019, Her Honour Judge Melissa Clarke sentenced Michael Willoughby for several five breaches of a harassment injunction, which had originally been ordered in 2011 by the Court of Appeal ([2019] EW Misc 5 (CC)). Continue reading
It seems like internet trolling happens everywhere online these days – and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. This week, the British press and Kensington Palace officials have called for an end to the merciless online trolling of Duchesses Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, which reportedly includes racist and sexist content, and even threats. Continue reading
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