UK introduces new libel law to end abuses

The United Kingdom has proposed a new libel law, virtually eliminating juries, sharply curtailing libel tourism, bolstering freedom of speech and protecting the press engaging in investigative reporting. The Minister of State for Justice Lord McNally said, “We have been trying to get the balance right between proper protections and the oft-used accusation that the [...]

Obama approves US ‘libel tourist’ laws

President Barack Obama has signed into law new legislation protecting US writers from foreign libel judgements. August 11, 2010 By BBC The Speech Act, recently passed by Congress, makes foreign libel rulings virtually unenforceable in US courts. The act targets “libel tourists” who launch cases in countries whose legal systems are considered far more claimant-friendly, [...]

New Law Shields Online Media from Foreign Judgments

With passage of the Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established Constitutional Heritage Act, or theSPEECH Act, media companies will be protected against U.S. enforcement of foreign libel judgments when such judgments would conflict with First Amendment protections. Television and Broadcast August 5, 2010 WASHINGTON: The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) [...]

USA outlaws ‘libel tourism’ in the UK courts

United States lawmakers have passed legislation countering the threat to freedom of speech posed by ‘libel tourists’ who use the UK’s tough libel laws to take action over articles primarily published in the US. Press Gazette July 29, 2010 By Dominic Ponsford The SPEECH Act – Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established Constitutional [...]

Key US Senate panel backs ‘libel tourism’ bill

The libel tourism measure would prevent US federal courts from recognizing or enforcing  foreign judgments for defamation, inconsistent with the first amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech. -SMD News By AFP WASHINGTON — A key US Senate panel on Tuesday approved a bill to shield US journalists, authors, and publishers from [...]

Expectations high for reform of British libel law

British libel reform is in the works with the government rolling out an outline for a new libel law. Questions remain about whether the law will end “libel tourism” and provide sufficient protection for journalists and other investigators. -db Citizen Media Law Project March 31, 2010 By Arthur Bright The reform of British libel law [...]

Critical book review brings French criminal libel charge

A New York University law professor has been charged with criminal libel in France for refusing to take down a book review posted on the internet. A CMLP blogger argues that this is a particularly egregious case of “libel tourism” and a threat to free speech and academic freedom. -db Citizen Media Law Project Opinion [...]

British lawmakers urge laws curtailing libel tourism

A British parliament committee said it is time to change the country’s liberal libel laws to discourage citizens of other countries from bringing libel suits in British courts. The committee said changes are needed to eliminate the chilling effect of libel cases on free speech. -db Telegraph.co.uk February 24, 2010 By Gordon Rayner Britain’s defamation [...]

England considering changes in libel laws

British lawmakers are conducting hearings and proposing legislation concerning their libel laws considered  to strongly favor those bringing defamation suits and consequently hazardous to free speech. -DB The New York Times December 11, 2009 By Sarah Lyall LONDON — England has long been a mecca for aggrieved people from around the world who want to sue [...]