Law
Apr 09, 2008
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
Commentary
Ontario's highest court has endorsed the British libel defence of "responsible journalism." The Toronto Star has been quick to take advantage of the new defence and the Supreme Court of Canada is poised to decide whether it will become the law of the land. J-Source media law editor Dean Jobb takes a look at the new defence and what it means for journalists.
Ontario's highest court has endorsed the British libel defence of "responsible journalism." The Toronto Star has been quick to take advantage of the new defence and the Supreme Court of Canada is poised to decide whether it will become the law of the land. J-Source media law editor Dean Jobb takes a look at the new defence and what it means for journalists.
Nov 16, 2007
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
Ontario's highest court has recognized "responsible journalism" as a defence to libel actions in a ruling that promises to set a precedent across the country. J-Source Law Editor Dean Jobb reviews the case and provides background info and additional resources.
Nov 14, 2007
The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that responsible journalism in the public interest can be a defence against libel. The defence applies where the media was playing a "watchdog role" and took "reasonable steps in the circumstances to ensure that the story was fair and its contents were true and accurate," according to the November 13th decision.
Nov 09, 2007
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
News
November 8, 2007 -- Does the guarantee of free speech in America's first amendment trump English libel law? That's the question facing New York's Court of Appeals this month. Rachel Ehrenfeld, a New York-based author, is seeking a ruling that an English libel judgment against her cannot be enforced in America and that her book, "Funding Evil," is constitutionally protected free speech. The Economist reports.
November 8, 2007 -- Does the guarantee of free speech in America's first amendment trump English libel law? That's the question facing New York's Court of Appeals this month. Rachel Ehrenfeld, a New York-based author, is seeking a ruling that an English libel judgment against her cannot be enforced in America and that her book, "Funding Evil," is constitutionally protected free speech. The Economist reports.
Oct 12, 2007
- Posted by Deborah
Jones
News
The Guardian newspaper calls it a "landmark" ruling in defence of investigative reporting. Britain's court of appeal has used the defence of "responsible journalism" to dismiss a libel action against the publisher of a book about police corruption.
The October 2007 ruling shields the media from libel actions "even if not every allegation can be proved, (if) their writing amounted to 'responsible journalism' on a matter of public interest," the paper reports. A former detective filed the lawsuit, claiming the book suggested he was involved in police corruption.
Read the BBC and Times of London reports.
A British media lawyer comments on the ruling.
See also: British ruling shields 'responsible journalism'
The Guardian newspaper calls it a "landmark" ruling in defence of investigative reporting. Britain's court of appeal has used the defence of "responsible journalism" to dismiss a libel action against the publisher of a book about police corruption.
The October 2007 ruling shields the media from libel actions "even if not every allegation can be proved, (if) their writing amounted to 'responsible journalism' on a matter of public interest," the paper reports. A former detective filed the lawsuit, claiming the book suggested he was involved in police corruption.
Read the BBC and Times of London reports.
A British media lawyer comments on the ruling.
See also: British ruling shields 'responsible journalism'
Sep 25, 2007
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
Commentary
Sheikh Khalid bin Mahfouz, one of the world's richest men, has made an academic publisher withdraw a controversial book. But it is the UK libel system that allows the rich and powerful to stifle investigation, writes Padraig Reidy, news editor of Index on Censorship. (Sept. 7, 2007)
Sheikh Khalid bin Mahfouz, one of the world's richest men, has made an academic publisher withdraw a controversial book. But it is the UK libel system that allows the rich and powerful to stifle investigation, writes Padraig Reidy, news editor of Index on Censorship. (Sept. 7, 2007)
Sep 25, 2007
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
Commentary
The principal legacy of disgraced media mogul Conrad Black, convicted in July of fraud and obstruction of justice, is "libel chill," writes Toronto Star business columnist David Olive. For decades he used libel writs to neuter coverage of his activities. As a result, reporters and editors across the land engaged in the longest period of self-censorship ever afforded a public figure.
The principal legacy of disgraced media mogul Conrad Black, convicted in July of fraud and obstruction of justice, is "libel chill," writes Toronto Star business columnist David Olive. For decades he used libel writs to neuter coverage of his activities. As a result, reporters and editors across the land engaged in the longest period of self-censorship ever afforded a public figure.
May 30, 2007
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
Commentary
Mumsnet, a community website where women give advice, support and friendship, has apologized to a controversial childcare guru who sued over disparaging comments posted by some of its users. Mumsnet co-founder Justine Roberts, writing in the Press Gazette, says it's time Britain's libel laws caught up with the digital age and stopped treating web forums like traditional publishers.
Mumsnet, a community website where women give advice, support and friendship, has apologized to a controversial childcare guru who sued over disparaging comments posted by some of its users. Mumsnet co-founder Justine Roberts, writing in the Press Gazette, says it's time Britain's libel laws caught up with the digital age and stopped treating web forums like traditional publishers.
May 30, 2007
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
Tip Sheet
Numbers don’t lie – or do they? The conclusions drawn from a computer-assisted reporting (CAR) investigation could be incorrect or tarnish the reputation of a person or company. Making sure the story is accurate, complete and libel-proof is as important as re-checking the math. Toronto Star investigative reporter Rob Cribb and University of King's College journalism prof Dean Jobb offer tips on how to put the story on a solid legal footing.
Numbers don’t lie – or do they? The conclusions drawn from a computer-assisted reporting (CAR) investigation could be incorrect or tarnish the reputation of a person or company. Making sure the story is accurate, complete and libel-proof is as important as re-checking the math. Toronto Star investigative reporter Rob Cribb and University of King's College journalism prof Dean Jobb offer tips on how to put the story on a solid legal footing.
Apr 17, 2007
- Posted by Dean
Jobb
News
In many countries, it is a crime to insult public officials or any individual, group or religion. The World Press Freedom Committee has launched a campaign to eliminate this extreme form of defamation, used by many regimes to stifle press freedom. Read the committee's press release.
In many countries, it is a crime to insult public officials or any individual, group or religion. The World Press Freedom Committee has launched a campaign to eliminate this extreme form of defamation, used by many regimes to stifle press freedom. Read the committee's press release.
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