Newspaper Society Calls For Change To Libel Laws

The Newspaper Society is calling for “radical reform” of Britain’s libel laws; in its response to the draft defamation bill, it says the government still needs to address such fundamental issues as burden of proof, the role of the jury and the award and calculation of damages.

The Society has welcomed the removal of damages awards from the jury, but fears this could affect amicable settlements by regional newspapers and lead to unnecessary litigation; free newspapers will benefit for the first time from statutory privileges, but the Society wants to confirm this protection applies to bodies such as the Advertising Standards Authority.

The Newspaper Society has also set up a Broadcasting Bill Unit to spearhead their lobbying on the government’s plans for regulating media ownership. The unit will be headed by David Newell, the Society’s deputy director. It will prepare amendments on the bill, arrange meetings with the government and opposition and assist regional and local newspapers with their nationwide lobbying campaigns.

Newspaper Society: 0171 636 7014