Current Awareness » freedom of expression

We should have anonymity for people who have been arrested but not charged, says Theresa May – The Independent

sally — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:12:58 +0000

“Criminal suspects who have been arrested should not normally be named until they are charged, the Home Secretary has said.”

Full story

The Independent, 16th May 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Should parliament give itself more powers? – The Guardian

tracey — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:20:54 +0000

“Should parliament give itself more powers? That’s the intriguing question posed by a paper to be published next week by the Constitution Society, an educational charity established five years ago.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd May 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Defamation Act reforms libel law – Ministry of Justice

tracey — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:16:27 +0000

“Large scale reforms to the law governing cases of defamation have today become law as the Defamation Bill gains Royal Assent.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 25th April 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Jeff King: Deference, Dialogue and Animal Defenders International – UK Constitutional Law Group

tracey — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:48:29 +0000

“In Animal Defenders International, the European Court of Human Rights upheld the British ban on political advertising in the broadcast media (s.321 Communications Act 2003), consistently with the judgments of the UK House of Lords and High Court, but in an apparent departure from its previous caselaw in the VgT (Verein gegen Tierfabrik v. Switzerland, no. 24699/94 ECHR 2001‑VI) case. The key issue in the case was whether a blanket ban (or ‘general measure’) was a proportionate restriction of the freedom of expression, or whether some class of exception (a ‘case-by-case’ approach) for groups such as the NGO in this case ought to be recognized.”

Full story

UK Constitutional Law Group, 25th April 2013

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org/blog

Leveson report: Newspapers reject press regulation plans – BBC News

tracey — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:12:17 +0000

“The newspaper industry has rejected a plan for press regulation agreed by the
three main political parties in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th April 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government will be mightily relieved at decision to uphold political ads ban – The Guardian

sally — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:07:19 +0000

“The court’s decision turned on the judges’ assessment of what restrictions are necessary in a democratic society.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Jacob Rowbottom: A surprise ruling? Strasbourg upholds the ban on paid political ads on TV and Radio – UK Constitutional Law Group

sally — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:47:35 +0000

“The European Court of Human Rights has given its decision in Animal Defenders International , holding that the ban on political advertising on the broadcast media does not violate Article 10. I had been convinced that the Strasbourg Court, following earlier decisions in Switzerland and Norway, would come to the opposite conclusion – but I am relieved that they did not. The ban on political ads has been a crucial measure that has helped to keep the cost of politics down in the UK. That said, it was a close shave. The ban was upheld by a majority of 9, with 8 dissenting. The decision was published earlier this morning, so what follows are my initial thoughts.”

Full story

UK Constitutional Law Group, 22nd April 2013

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Christians launch landmark human rights case – Daily Telegraph

sally — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:33:21 +0000

“Christians are to launch a landmark legal case arguing their religion is being treated as a ‘thought crime’ by government and courts.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 20th April 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UK ban on political advertising may be lifted – The Independent

sally — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:04:26 +0000

“Britain may be forced to lift its ban on political advertising when the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rules on its lawfulness tomorrow.”

Full story

The Independent, 21st April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Managing the manifestation of faith in the workplace – No. 5 Chambers

sally — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:58:54 +0000

“Fatim Kurji considers the European Court of Human Rights’ verdict in the case of Eweida & Others v The United Kingdom [2013] IRLR 231.”

Full story

No. 5 Chambers, 18th March 2013

Source: www.no5.com

Who, what, why: Can police stop protests at Margaret Thatcher’s funeral? – BBC News

sally — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:12:24 +0000

“There has been widespread speculation that protests will take place during the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. But what laws will be in force?”

Full story

BBC News, 16th April 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Thatcher funeral: Police plan to arrest protesters under ‘draconian’ Public Order Act – The Independent

sally — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:57:46 +0000

“Campaigners reacted angrily last night after Scotland Yard suggested protesters should consider avoiding Baroness Thatcher’s cortège – because they face arrest under a controversial public order law.”

Full story

The Independent, 15th April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Blow to freedom of speech as key libel reform the Defamation Bill is blocked – The Independent

sally — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:40:46 +0000

“The Government is to block plans to reform Britain’s ‘chilling’ libel laws and to prevent large companies from silencing their critics with the threat of being sued.”

Full story

The Independent, 15th April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

After Leveson: Stephen Sedley on press regulation – London Review of Books

sally — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:10:17 +0000

“The Privy Council, which will now be responsible for issuing a royal charter setting up a panel to vet the independence of a new press regulator, started licensing books in 1538. In 1557 a royal charter gave the members of the Stationers’ Company a monopoly of printing. In 1588 the anti-episcopal Marprelate Tracts (one of whose authors, John Penry, was executed for publishing them) provoked a system of press licensing which survived in one form or another, though with diminishing effect, until the last decade of the 17th century.”

Full story

London Review of Books, 11th April 2013

Source: www.lrb.co.uk

High Court backs ban against teacher who condemned ‘homosexual lifestyle’ – The Independent

sally — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:41:59 +0000

“The High Court has upheld a classroom ban on a Christian school teacher who condemned the ‘homosexual lifestyle’ in front of pupils.”

Full story

The Independent, 12th April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Defamation bill faces fresh attack from Conservatives – The Guardian

sally — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:08:36 +0000

“The defamation bill, which was last month threatened with obliteration after a political row over Leveson press reforms, is once again under attack, but this time by the Tories who want to get rid of two key sections.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New equality guidance “recommends best practice” rather than creates new rights, says expert – OUT-LAW.com

sally — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:05:42 +0000

“Guidance on how employers should deal with requests made by employees in relation to religion or belief does not create new rights, but rather recommends ‘good practice’ to help employers comply with existing laws, an expert has said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 10th April 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Vegans and druids to gain workplace rights under new equality rules – Daily Telegraph

sally — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:11:53 +0000

“Vegetarian or vegan employees with deeply held beliefs should be allowed to exert their rights in the workplace by refusing to clean out office fridges containing meat or dairy products, according to new guidance.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 7th April 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Ex-councillor fails to suppress story about being drunk in supermarket in charge of daughter – The Independent

sally — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:27:05 +0000

“A Labour councillor fined £100 after admitting being drunk in a supermarket while in charge of her two-year-old daughter has lost a High Court anonymity fight.”

Full story

The Independent, 29th March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Julie Burchill entitled to ‘offend’ transsexuals, press watchdog rules – Daily Telegraph

tracey — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:16:45 +0000

“Julie Burchill was entitled to write a controversial article about transsexuals
because she was expressing her opinion, the Press Complaints Commission (PCC)
has ruled.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th March 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Individuals ‘have no right’ to stop name being used online – Daily Telegraph

tracey — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:29:47 +0000

“Ordinary people have no right to stop their names being used in web addresses
because they are not famous enough, according to regulators.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 27th March 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Blogs likely to be excluded from press reforms by House of Lords – The Guardian

sally — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:17:15 +0000

“Fears that bloggers and small-scale news websites will be dragged into the new proposed system of press regulation, so facing crippling costs, appeared to be lifting on Friday when Labour and the Liberal Democrats agreed to table last-minute amendments in the Lords to make it clear they will be excluded.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Probation officers face social media gag as outsourcing row rumbles on – The Guardian

sally — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:57:47 +0000

“The justice secretary, Chris Grayling, has issued instructions that probation officers face the risk of disciplinary action if they publicly criticise on Twitter or other social media his plans to outsource 70% of their work with offenders.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cameron pulls the plug on press talks – and sets stage for fight – The Guardian

tracey — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:06:40 +0000

“PM’s ejector-seat diplomacy over Leveson leaves him facing a complex parliamentary battle.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Historic Royal Charter on press regulation close to being agreed – The Independent

sally — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:39:33 +0000

“The three leading political parties were last night close to signing up to a historic Royal Charter to implement the recommendations of Lord Justice Leveson on reforming regulation of the press.”

Full story

The Independent, 12th March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

A dangerous use of police force to quell protest – The Guardian

sally — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:04:21 +0000

“The Alfie Meadows ruling is a reminder of the coalition’s hypocrisy on non-violent protest.”

Full story

The Guardian, 10th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Open up family court hearings, says senior judge – Daily Telegraph

sally — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:59:48 +0000

“A senior judge has made an important ruling in favour of transparency in the family courts.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 2nd March 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Campaigners unite against secret courts – The Guardian

sally — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:41:17 +0000

“An alliance of more than 100 human rights groups, legal experts and free press campaigners has called on MPs to vote against government plans for ‘secret courts’ – branding them “a charter for cover-ups” that will seriously undermine the principles of British justice.”

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

High Court challenge over banned ‘ex-gay’ bus advert – BBC News

sally — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:06:41 +0000

“A ban on a bus advert claiming gay people can be “cured” is to be challenged in the High Court.”

Full story

BBC News, 28th February 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Telling tales out of school: balancing public authority employees’ duties of confidentiality with their right to freedom of expression – Employment Law Blog

sally — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:53:52 +0000

“A dinner lady told a child’s parents that their daughter had been tied to a fence and whipped with a skipping rope by some other pupils, repeated the same to the press and then was dismissed for breach of confidentiality and acting in a manner likely to bring the school into disrepute. An employment tribunal found the dismissal procedurally unfair but dismissed her whistleblowing claim and reduced her compensation for unfair dismissal on the grounds of Polkey and for contributory fault. The tribunal did not, however, determine the question of whether the claimant could lawfully be disciplined for ‘telling tales out of school’ (as it put it).”

Full story

Employment Law Blog, 27th February 2013

Source: www.employment11kbw.com

Peers compromise over press regulation – The Guardian

sally — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:53:17 +0000

“Peers have staged a partial climbdown in their clash with the government over the introduction of Leveson-style controls on the press.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bill forcing papers to seek pre-publication approval is ‘flawed’ – The Guardian

sally — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:05:57 +0000

“Proposals for a new law which would require newspaper editors to seek regulatory approval for certain types of stories are flawed and should be abandoned, a number of peers have said.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

ICO to publish code of practice for the press on personal data processing – OUT-LAW.com

sally — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:04:01 +0000

“The UK’s data protection watchdog has outlined its intention to set new guidelines for journalists on the processing of personal data for the purposes of journalism.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 21st February 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

After Leveson: the 66-year press regulation journey that ends as it began – The Guardian

sally — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:53:59 +0000

“In this extract from After Leveson, a book edited by John Mair, John Jewell, of the Cardiff school of journalism, takes us on the long journey that led publishers, editors, journalists and phone hacking victims to the royal courts of justice for the Leveson inquiry. His story begins 66 years ago…”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Leveson report: what happened next – Q&A – The Guardian

sally — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:45:20 +0000

“How the government has responded to Lord Justice Leveson’s recommendations on press regulation.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Justice for dinner lady who told of school bullying – Daily Telegraph

sally — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:35:52 +0000

“A school dinner lady who was unfairly sacked after telling a seven-year-old girl’s parents that their daughter had been tied to a fence and hit with a skipping rope has won her two-year battle for compensation.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 12th February 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Iraq war activists to get £4,000 compensation over 2003 protest – The Guardian

sally — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:15:46 +0000

“Anti-war protesters who were prevented by police from attending a mass rally outside an RAF airbase have been awarded more than £4,000 each in compensation.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

RAF Fairford protesters win legal battle against police – BBC News

sally — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:38:42 +0000

“Anti-war campaigners whose coaches were prevented from joining a mass rally against the Iraq war have won their legal battle against police.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th February 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Trial by Google? Juries, social media and the internet – Attorney General’s Office

sally — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:53:45 +0000

“Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC MP speaks of the challenge to jury trial posed by the internet. Originally given at University of Kent.”

Full story

Attorney General’s Office, 6th February 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Regina (Gallastegui) v Westminster City Council and others – WLR Daily

sally — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:15:58 +0000

Regina (Gallastegui) v Westminster City Council and others [2013] EWCA Civ 28; [2013] WLR (D) 45

“Sections 143 and 145 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 were carefully targeted to prevent protesters camping with tents or sleeping equipment on Parliament Square Gardens, but did not generally impair freedom to protest at all. As a consequence they were not incompatible with the rights to freedom of expression and protest in articles 10 and 11 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Sincethe procedure set out in the 2011 Act allowed for access to a court, article 6 of the Convention was not engaged.”

WLR Daily, 30th January 2013

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Twitter cases ‘threat to freedom of speech’ – Daily Telegraph

tracey — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:47:25 +0000

“Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said too many investigations
into comments on networks such as Twitter would have a ‘chilling effect’ on free
speech. He issued his warning as he signalled that anyone who posted an
offensive message but then quickly removed it could escape prosecution.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd February 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Leveson: Press and politicians still seek solution – BBC News

sally — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:33:43 +0000

“For months, the Leveson Inquiry dominated the news, as a succession of high-profile witnesses gave evidence – actors Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, singer Charlotte Church; the parents of Milly Dowler and Madeleine McCann; editors, proprietors, police chiefs, politicians.”

Full story

BBC News, 27th January 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Public insults to be legalised but grossly offensive messages still criminal – UK Human Rights Blog

sally — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:03:00 +0000

“Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, which outlaws the use of ‘threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour’ will be amended to remove the word ‘insulting’. The amendment is the result of a successful, high-profile campaign which asked ‘Do we really need the police and the courts to deal with insults?’”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 15th January 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

‘Insulting words’ crime ditched – BBC News

sally — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:32:40 +0000

“The crime of ‘insulting’ someone through words or behaviour, which once led to the arrest of a student for asking a police officer whether his horse was gay, is to be dropped.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th January 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Gagging order preventing Sun report on child protection scandal overturned – The Guardian

sally — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:43:54 +0000

“The Sun has won a two-month battle to overturn an injunction brought by Bristol City Council that prevented it from reporting details of a child protection scandal.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th January 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Poppy burning teenager meets forces personnel in lieu of criminal charges – The Guardian

tracey — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:29:27 +0000

“A teenager who was arrested after posting a picture of a burning poppy on Facebook has escaped charges after meeting serving and former military personnel as part of a restorative justice programme.”

Full story

The Guardian, 20th December 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New prosecution guidance on offensive speech online: sensible, but the law is still out of date – UK Human Rights Blog

sally — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:01:28 +0000

“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published interim guidance on when to prosecute people for grossly offensive and obscene messages they send on social media. The guidelines are now subject to a full public consultation. Earlier this year, I took part in a series of round table discussions with the DPP over how the guidelines would look.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 19th December 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Calling time on Scandalising the Court – Law Commission

sally — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:21:22 +0000

“The Law Commission is recommending that the offence of scandalising the court should be abolished and not replaced.”

Full story

Law Commission, 19th December 2012

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

DPP launches public consultation on prosecutions involving social media communications – Crown Prosecution Service

sally — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:59:32 +0000

“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has today published interim guidelines setting out the approach prosecutors should take in cases involving communications sent via social media.”

Full story

Crown Prosecution Service, 19th December 2012

Source: http://blog.cps.gov.uk

Internet porn: Automatic block rejected – BBC News

sally — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:15:37 +0000

“Ministers have rejected plans to automatically block internet access to pornography on all computers, saying the move is not widely supported.”

Full story

BBC News, 15th December 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk