UK Bloggers Could Face Libel Fines Unless Registered As Press

Diamonddavej writes "The Guardian warns that Bloggers in the U.K. could face costly fines for libel with exemplary damages imposed if they do not sign up with a new press regulator under legislation (Clause 21A — Awards of exemplary damages) recommended by The Leveson Inquiry into press behavior and ethics. Kirsty Hughes, the chief executive of Index on Censorship, said this a 'sad day' for British democracy. 'This will undoubtedly have a chilling effect on everyday people's web use.' Exemplary damages, imposed by a court to penalize publishers who remain outside regulation, could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, easily enough to close down smaller publishers such as Private Eye and local newspapers. Harry Cole, who contributes to the Guido Fawkes blog says he does not want to join a regulator, he hopes his blog will remain as irreverent and rude as ever, and continue to hold public officials to account; its servers are located in the U.S. Members of Parliament voted on Clause 21A late last night, it passed 530 to 13."

Re:Libel...

[HornWumpus]

IANAL.

It is my understanding that the UK even if something is true if you say it with the intent of damaging someone it is still actionable.

Read that again. Saying something true and damaging is actionable if you intend it to hurt their reputation.

It's pure bullshit designed only to shut down speech by anyone without a staff shyster.

Re:You get what you ask for

[fustakrakich]

On matters of censorship, there are only two sides. You're either for it or against it. The choice to act is what matters, not the motivation (rationalization)

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:You get what you ask for

[SJHillman]

Not everything is so black and white as "for it or against it". You can be for it in some cases (IE: hate speech) and against it in others (IE: fact-based criticism). Or you can just not care either way, in which case you'd be neither for nor against.

Re:You get what you ask for

[Dexter Herbivore]

Perhaps you would like to explain what is inherently wrong with ID cards, and road pricing... without descending into hysterics without justification?

Re:OUTRAGE!

[DJ Particle]

I think we should do what Canada does - make it the law that if you're specifically calling your media "news", then it MUST be the truth. Tell all the lies you want, you just can't call it "news".