Press freedom and the internet: A gagging order backfires THIS week a national newspaper ran a fascinating story about absolutely nothing. The Guardian reported on its front page on October 13th that a question had been tabled by an MP in … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand Strikes Again
Archives for 2009
Arnold Schwarzenegger Gets Tough Over Libel Tourists To The Uk
The state of California yesterday banned libel tourism in an effort to resist the influence of British judges. Its governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law which will allow its courts to refuse to enforce libel judgments handed down in London. He … [Read more...] about Arnold Schwarzenegger Gets Tough Over Libel Tourists To The Uk
U.S. Authorities Claim Al-Qaeda Has Financial Difficulties
A senior official at the U.S. Treasury is claiming that al-Qaeda has encountered financial difficulties and during the course of the year has made more than one appeal for funds. Rachel Ehrenfeld said... "They call themselves the Taliban, they call … [Read more...] about U.S. Authorities Claim Al-Qaeda Has Financial Difficulties
Protect Our Free Speech Abroad
Americans are being sued for libel in countries whose laws are inconsistent with free speech granted by the U.S. Constitution. The Free Speech Protection Act of 2009 (S.449) was introduced in February 2009 in response to cases such as that of Dr. … [Read more...] about Protect Our Free Speech Abroad
Free Speech Under Foreign Assault
Does the United States Constitution protect the freedom of speech of American citizens, or does it not? In this era of globalization, the answer is becoming increasingly muddled. Thursday, an American citizen, Paul Williams, went on trial in Canada. … [Read more...] about Free Speech Under Foreign Assault
Rescue Writers From Scourge Of Libel Tourism
Paul Williams has lived in Pennsylvania all his life. Yet with pretrial proceedings that begin today, Canadian libel laws now threaten to ruin him financially. Williams is a National Book Award-winning writer whose 2006 ←xpos←, "The Dunces of … [Read more...] about Rescue Writers From Scourge Of Libel Tourism
Brazil Threatens Americans’ Free Speech
Americans writers' free expression is under attack by foreign courts. In the most recent assault, a Brazilian widow is suing an American reporter in a Brazilian court for allegedly defaming the entire nation of Brazil. She claims Joseph M. Sharkey, a … [Read more...] about Brazil Threatens Americans’ Free Speech
English Libel Laws Facilitate Libel Tourism
English libel laws dating back to 1849 allow foreigners to sue other foreigners in English courts a practice known as "libel tourism". in addition, England's plaintiff-friendly libel law is at loggerheads with American principles of free speech … [Read more...] about English Libel Laws Facilitate Libel Tourism
You Won’t Read All About It
Left: "Contempt of Court" by H.M. Bateman, 1916 Readers had to stare hard at the front page of The Times of 7 May 1966 to learn that the most gruesome murder trial of the decade was over. The lead story was a less-than-gripping piece about Roy … [Read more...] about You Won’t Read All About It
Libel Tourism Deterred
READER MAIL Libel Tourism Deterred By Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld Director, American Center for Democracy (ACD) LIBEL TOURISM AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT Re: Aaron Eitan Meyer's Islamist Lawfare: The Saudi billionaire and serial "libel tourist" Khalid bin … [Read more...] about Libel Tourism Deterred