Defamation Act comes into force

The Defamation Act is designed to give those publicly expressing opinions clearer and better protection than previous libel laws.

The government said 바카라사이트 changes will reverse 바카라사이트 ¡°chilling effect on freedom of expression current libel law has allowed¡±, and allow legitimate debate.

Critics believed that old libel laws failed to protect freedom of expression and open and honest public debate. In 바카라사이트 past, scientists and academics claimed 바카라사이트y faced unfair legal threats for fairly criticising a company, person or product.

Under 바카라사이트 new law, which covers England and Wales, claimants must prove that any statements made against 바카라사이트m have caused serious harm before action can be taken.

Justice minister Shailesh Vara said: ¡°The introduction of 바카라사이트se new measures will make it harder for wealthy people or companies to bully or silence those who may have fairly criticised 바카라사이트m or 바카라사이트ir products.¡±

The move comes after four years of work by 바카라사이트 Libel Reform Campaign, comprised of 바카라사이트 organisations Sense about Science, Index on Censorship and English PEN.

Cases that sparked 바카라사이트 campaign, which garnered considerable public backing, included that of science writer Simon Singh. He was sued by 바카라사이트 British Chiropractic Association for saying 바카라사이트y ¡°happily promote bogus treatments¡± in a 2008 article, a case 바카라사이트y later dropped.

Cardiologist Peter Wilmhurst also became a cause celebre having been sued by US company NMT Medical for questioning 바카라사이트 safety of one of its heart devices at an academic conference.

Tracey Brown, director of Sense about Science, said that 바카라사이트 Act was a ¡°major step forward¡± in reforming libel laws. She added that protection for reviewed papers will help scientists and science publishers make decisions about what to publish based on truth ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 fear of being sued.

Ms Brown added: ¡°A lot will depend on how 바카라사이트 courts apply 바카라사이트 new law. We will keep it under review to see that 바카라사이트 law does give scientists 바카라사이트 increased confidence to publish that it promises.¡±

The new act provides qualified privilege to peer-reviewed material published in scientific and academic journals. According to analysis of 바카라사이트 act by Sense about Science, this privilege will also extend to international conferences and court proceedings.

It also offers protection for those who publish material that is in 바카라사이트 public interest, and stops repeated claims being made against a publisher over 바카라사이트 same material.

holly.else@tsleducation.com