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Press freedom fears grow as celebrities lead huge increase in libel actions
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent2 Sep 2010
Libel actions brought by stars from sport and showbusiness have soared in the last two years, new figures reveal.
The number of reported defamation cases leapt from 57 in 2007/08 to 78 the following year — a rise of 36 per cent. The figures then increased by another six per cent to 83 during 2009/10.
The jump has been led by celebrities, says legal information provider Sweet & Maxwell. Its own cases have nearly trebled from 11 in 2008/09 to 30 over the last year.
The researchers attribute the rise to closer working relationships between agents and managers of celebrities and the law firms that specialise in bringing defamation claims against the media.
They also point to wider use of digital media monitoring services by stars' representatives to identify potentially damaging material.
A third factor is the growing use of “no win no fee” agreements. These encourage defamation claims against the media which could not otherwise be afforded.
The use of privacy injunctions by celebrities against what is said and written about them is also increasingly popular.
Korieh Duodu, co-author of the latest edition of Defamation: Law, Procedure & Practice, says the figures for legal actions are even higher once these are taken into account.
The research shows that despite the overall rise in reported defamation court cases, only three in 2009/10 could be categorised “libel tourism” by foreigners using the British legal system to sue a media outlet with few interests in the UK.
But critics say British libel law is notoriously weighted in favour of the claimant, letting powerful foreign figures use our courts for the restriction of press freedom.
The US has just passed legislation to prevent UK libel judgments being enforced there.
Reader views (12)
The legitimate press, writing legitimate news, fact checked, has nothing to worry about. The actions celebrities have taken are in response to false gossip and lies that the so called tabloid press [and increasingly, the broad sheets too] print without thought to veracity.
Just because someone is famous, doesn't mean they aren't entitled to being reported about fairly and accurately. Lies are lies, and irresponsibility needs to be addressed. If the press won't police itself, then the courts are available to defamed individuals.
- Mimi, USA, 05/10/2010 15:43
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I doubt very seriously that 'no win no fee' play any role at all in libel actions as they are entirely the wrong kind of case for such fee agreements. And celebrities can afford the type of legal counsel that would never enter into such an agreement anyway.
Also, the US law applies to all foreign defamation proceedings; not just those from the UK. Slight difference.
- Richard Eader, London, 03/09/2010 08:35
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If journalists, editors, publishers and proprietors would stop writing, printing and broadcasting lies and half truths in the first place there would be no libel actions. When was the last time a journalist or editor was sacked for causing a successful libel action?
For the media to whinge about this self-inflicted wound is ludicrous.
- Gladiatrix, Newbury, Berkshire, 02/09/2010 22:37
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Dave London, Freedom of speech and dragging one's name through the mud are two different things.Whenever a scandal breaks inevitably it gets talked about over a couple of pints, and in the end it all boils down to whether the bird was a good shag or not, lets take the media's darling of the moment a certain young lady that appears on the x factor, good shag i dont think so, her friend from the girl group that has peroxide blonde hair good shag or bad shag i say good shag.
- Leonard Lillywhites, Tottenham, 02/09/2010 19:11
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Dross, dross and more dross - our socalled celebrities and football filth.
Straw was going to change the libel law to stop libel tourists to our country. Let it happen soon.
- michael, London, UK, 02/09/2010 18:53
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So why didnt William Hague use these British libel laws "notoriously weighted in favour of the claimant" to protect himself from gay smears?
- D.Miner, London, UK, 02/09/2010 16:37
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Press freedom?? Dont make me laugh. 99% of the news is not reported by the mainstream media.
- bobby, berks, 02/09/2010 15:05
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Media types are too ambitious for scoops to actually care whether what they are saying is true or not. Take the spy murder for example. All manner of crap was included in the media within days, only for it to be subsequently shown to be dubious. If celebs are successfully suing the media types, its a clear indication that those types are unprofessional. Either the industry cleans itself up, or the law should be revised to prevent the media types from carrying on the way they do.
- In Mourning for our Nation, Tottenham, 02/09/2010 14:19
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Perhaps the number of Lible cases refects directly on the standard of journalism these days. If journalists are having to make up stories or don't get their facts right before going to print, then they should expect legal action.
- Paul Humphreys, Essex, 02/09/2010 14:19
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Whatever it takes. My privicy is invaded everytime a newspaper or the radio (I do not have a TV) reports drivel about so called celebrities and their uninteresting lives. Most celebrities seem to "twitter" these days so the saddos that actually care about these people can keep up.
- BJ, East London, 02/09/2010 13:44
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If this means less celebrity garbage being printed, then good.
- Blue Baby, London, 02/09/2010 13:42
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Not very nice when ones freedom of speech is taken away.Now the UK media know how the public feel when thier comments are deemed to unpolitically correct to be allowed.The Daily mail moderators are the worst,rejecting comments because they do not agree with the readers views.Freedom of speech should be for all,not just the media.
- dave, london, 02/09/2010 12:39
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