Sorry to interrupt the raucous celebrations about the new Defamation Act that are still going on in newsrooms across the country. But I need to sound a note of caution. I mean, that’s what law guys do, isn’t it?
The decision of whether to name someone who has been arrested is one that editors have to grapple with most days. I get more legal queries about this than anything else.
The problem is libel.
The prosecution of The Sun for an alleged breach of pre-trial reporting restrictions is yet another sign of the present Government’s determination to clamp down on pre-trial prejudice by the media.
Modern day fairytales part two: Leveson reconvenes over press coverage of wolf attack on grandmother
14 Feb 2013
The Leveson inquiry was urgently reconvened today to hear new evidence from victims of media abuse.
The ruling by Mr Justice Briggs in the Ned RocknRoll Facebook photos case puts the Press Complaints Commission’s definition of public interest firmly in the spotlight.
Legal quiz: Can you spot all the reporting restrictions covering the story of Goldilocks and the three bears?
Journalists sometimes phone me and say: "I’m covering a crown court trial, and they’ve just mentioned the bloke’s previous convictions! How can that be right?"
Too many stories provide far too much detail - a simple guide to avoid breaching reporting restrictions
The PCC’s decision to reject a complaint after a local paper used someone’s photo and information from their Facebook page was a rare piece of good news for the media.
Lord McAlpine’s claim that he has been identified by ‘inference’ as the senior Tory party figure involved in sexually abusing children is unusual but not unique.
You may have thought drone journalism involved covering some boring official pontificating about a regional structure plan.
Two tips for journalists working online. Those who use 192.com to search for people need to take care if they’re working on an investigative assignment.
Nick Hart had some strong views on my post last week about the new law that prevents teachers being identified if they are suspected of a crime against a pupil.
Just days after new legislation came in to give anonymity to teachers accused of sexual offences against their pupils, a judge in London went out of his way to protect the identity of a senior master who admitted sexual activity with a girl under 13.
There is a COMPLETE BAN on the media reporting future pre-trial proceedings in the Dale Cregan case.
Government legislation that gives the police and security services powers to monitor details about people’s emails, web history, phone calls and text messages means that journalists must learn how to work online anonymously and invisibly.
