A preliminary trial on meaning due to be heard last week has had to be relisted after actor Noel Clarke disinstructed his legal advisors shortly before the hearing. Clarke has filed a defamation claim against The Guardian over eight articles published in 2021 that reported sexual misconduct allegations made by several women. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Category: Legal (Page 20 of 175)
The developing scandal surrounding allegations that a BBC presenter paid a 17-year-old for explicit images is full of questions – the identity of the presenter (who remains unnamed in the media), the age of the young person when the alleged explicit images were taken, and of course, whether the allegations are true and can be proved to be true. What is known, however, is UK law when it comes to the exchange of sexually explicit material involving young people. Continue reading
Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit photographs. Edwards was named by his wife in her statement that he was being treated in hospital for his mental health. The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police found no information to indicate criminal offences had been committed. Continue reading
A leading BBC presenter has been taken off air pending an investigation after claims emerged that he paid a teenager more than £35,000 for sexual images. The well-known presenter allegedly began paying the teenager when they were 17. The family made a formal complaint to the BBC in May 2023, asking the corporation to stop the behaviour towards their child, now 20. The Sun broke the story. The Daily Mail, Evening Standard, BBC, Sky News, and Guardian are some of the many news outlets to cover the ongoing story. Continue reading
The latest generation of artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, will revolutionise the way we live and work. AI technologies could significantly improve education, healthcare, transport and welfare. But there are downsides, too: jobs automated out of existence, surveillance abuses, and discrimination, including in healthcare and policing. Continue reading
On 27 June 2023 the House of Lords approved an amendment to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill which aims to tackle “strategic litigation against public participation” (“SLAPPs”); the use of defamation law to silence critics. The amendment was only published the week before and was not subjected to any consultation, white paper or select committee report. Inforrm had an article arguing that the amendment is ill thought out. Continue reading
On 20 June 2023, Fancourt J mentioned over two dozen names of Mirror Group employees that he suggested could have given evidence before him in the ongoing trial over alleged unlawful information gathering. The list included former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan and former People editor Neil Wallis. Continue reading
The recently issued Ministry of Justice Royal Courts of Justice Tables for 2022 suggest that there has been a substantial decline in the number of defamation claims issued in London. They record that there were 233 issued defamation claims in 2022, a 60% decrease from the 2021 figure of 545 issued claims. Continue reading
The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) said former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has broken government rules by failing to adequately consult them about his new job as a columnist with the Daily Mail. Continue reading
Prince Harry faced two days of cross-examination this week as Fancourt J continued to hear the trial in the case of Various Claimants v MGN. Continue reading
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