United States: Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud: What does the law say about defamatory lyrics? – Lisa Macklem

The feud between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a fever pitch recently, with both dissing each other in songs featuring harsh accusations. This kind of beef between rap artists isn’t new, but the severity of the insults traded in this feud has galvanized fans and the attention of the broader public.

Holding a placard outside court isn’t illegal, judge rules: is that the best British democracy has to offer? – Steven Cammiss and Graeme Hayes

The UK High Court recently dismissed the case against environmental activist Trudi Warner, who was referred for contempt of court in March 2023. Civil liberties campaigners hailed the decision as a “huge win for democracy”, but is it?

Law and Media Round Up – 13 May 2024

On Wednesday 8 May 2024, the Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill [pdf] returned to the House of Commons for its Committee Stage. The agreed amendments to the bill included the removal of the requirement to prove subjective intention. Inforrm has commented on the Bill recently, see here and here.

Global Freedom of Expression, Columbia University: Newsletter, 12 May 2024

Columbia Global Freedom of Expression seeks to contribute to the development of an integrated and progressive jurisprudence and understanding on freedom of expression and information around the world.  It maintains an extensive database of international case law. This is its newsletter dealing with recent developments  in the field.

Transparency & Open Justice Board announced – Courts and Tribunals Observers Network

Giving the keynote speech at the Society of Editors 25th anniversary conference on 30 April 2024 the Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-On-The-Hill, announced the establishment of a new Transparency and Open Justice Board, to be chaired by Mr Justice Nicklin. She said:

SLAPPs Bill: New Amendments, delete all and replace with ill-thought out “Model Anti-SLAPP law”

On Friday 3 May 2024, amendments [pdf] to the Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill [pdf] were tabled by MPs Wayne David and Sir David Davis. The Bill is due for its Committee Stage in the House of Commons this week.

Law and Media Round Up – 6 May 2024

Sir David Davis MP has tabled a number of far reaching amendments [pdf] to the  Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill [pdf] which returns to the House of Commons for its Committee Stage on 8 May 2024.  These include the removal of the requirement to prove intention and a provision for the award of damages to a defendant against whom a SLAPP claim is brought.  Inforrm had a post about the Bill last week.

Statement in Open Court: officer in charge of criminal investigation into Alex Belfield wins her libel action against him

Detective Constable Janet Percival of Nottinghamshire Police has won her libel action against Alex Belfield, the former BBC radio presenter, who was convicted of criminal harassment in September 2022 and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

SLAPPs Bill: Serious issues remain to be addressed.

The  Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill [pdf] sponsored by Labour MP Wayne David but supported by the Ministry of Justice returns to the House of Commons for its Committee Stage on 8 May 2024. 

Of politicians as newsreaders and other curiosities of our brave new digital world – Irin Katsirea

Few will have been surprised by Ofcom’s recent verdict that GB News broke due impartiality rules by featuring politicians like Jacob Rees-Mogg and Esther McVey as news presenters. However, the regulator’s decision to handle GB News with kid gloves by putting it on notice whilst refraining from imposing statutory sanctions raised an eyebrow or two.