On the surface, the Government’s launch of a review into the sustainability of journalism was commendable but cynical onlookers were dubious from the outset. Given the fraught history of media policy-making and the large commercial media groups’ impressive lobbying clout, would smaller players be heard and would the review make recommendations that served a genuine public interest in the free flow of ideas and information? Read the rest of this entry »
Reform charity law to allow funding of public interest journalism – Steven Barnett and Judith Townend
4 09 2018
Reactions to Jeremy Corbyn’s alternative MacTaggart lecture were predictably mixed. But amid proposals that attracted both acclaim and opprobrium in equal measure was one that was barely noticed. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Judith Townend, Steven Barnett, The Conversation
Categories : Government and Policy, Journalism
Comment: New approach to media cases at the Royal Courts of Justice a welcome development – Judith Townend
28 02 2018
In 2012 Mr Justice Tugendhat, ahead of his retirement in 2014, made a plea for more media specialist barristers and solicitors to consider a judicial role: “As the recruiting posters put it: Your country needs you.” Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Judith Townend, Media and Communications List, The Transparency Project, Warby J
Categories : Legal, Media
Any reform to the law on Official Secrets must provide robust protection for public interest disclosures and open justice – Lorna Woods, Lawrence McNamara and Judith Townend
28 06 2017
With the election now in the past, the wheels of government are beginning to grind again. While most eyes are on Brussels, it is important that the bright lights of Brexit do not draw attention away from other work that is resuming and ongoing. Among it, the Law Commission will continue its project that considers the revision of the laws on Official Secrets, with its final proposals expected later this year. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Information Law and Policy Centre, Judith Townend, Law Commission, Lawrence McNamara, Lorna Woods
Categories : Government and Policy, Open Justice, Surveillance
Where did all the privacy injunctions go? A response to the Queen’s Bench ‘Media List’ consultation – Judith Townend
31 05 2017
According to the latest official statistics on privacy injunctions in January to December 2016 there were just three proceedings where the High Court considered an application for a new interim privacy injunction. Two were granted, one was refused. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Judith Townend, Media and Communications List, Transparency Project
Categories : Injunction, Privacy
Media and public to get “viewing terminals” for live-streamed Court proceedings – Judith Townend
8 03 2017
Journalists and members of the public will access “virtual” court proceedings via “viewing terminals” in court buildings if the Government’s new legislative proposals go ahead. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Judith Townend, Media Lawyer
Categories : Open Justice
Trump is right: stories will dry up if the press can’t use anonymous sources – Judith Townend and Richard Danbury
3 03 2017
Donald Trump has declared war on anonymous sources and wants to ban their use by journalists. In a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 24, he said: “You will see stories dry up like you have never seen before.” 
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Tags: Donald Trump, Judith Townend, Richard Danbury
Categories : Journalism
But what does open justice actually mean? – Judith Townend
19 01 2017
The notion that justice must be seen to be done needs little introduction to either a lay or legal audience, but its familiarity belies an underlying complexity. See, for example, PNM v Times Newspapers, heard by the Supreme Court this week. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Judith Townend
Categories : Legal, Open Justice
Access to information should not be an after-thought in plans for ‘transforming our justice system’ – Judith Townend
19 11 2016
On 15 September 2016 the Ministry of Justice opened its consultation into “Transforming Our Justice System”. The 36 page document, accompanied by a statement by the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals, sets out a “vision” for a radical overhaul and major financial investment in courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Judith Townend, Transparency Project
Categories : Legal, Open Justice
Can Online Dispute Resolution deliver better access to justice – Judith Townend
17 09 2015
Professor Richard Susskind OBE is well known within the legal profession for his numerous books predicting a dramatic transformation in legal practice, and calling for an overhaul of 21st century lawyering. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Internet Newsletter for Lawyers, Judith Townend, Online Dispute Resolution
Categories : Legal
