Tag Archives: robert douglas

More details of Lord Lester’s libel reform bill released

By Mark Pack | Thu 27th May 2010 - 9:20 am

Yesterday I covered the news that Liberal Democrat Lord Lester is going to table a bill to reform libel law. He’s now released details of what approach the bill will take:

Introduce a statutory defence of responsible publication on a matter of public interest;

Clarify the defences of justification and fair comment, renamed as ‘truth’ and ‘honest opinion’;

Respond to the problems of the internet age, including multiple publications and the responsibility of Internet Service Providers and hosters;

Protect those reporting on proceedings in Parliament and other issues of public concern;

Require claimants to show substantial harm, and corporate bodies to show financial loss;

Encourage the speedy settlement of disputes without

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