tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60652132011-08-16T00:19:40.177-07:00Media Law, Regulation and Policy Media Relations Intellectual Property Freedom of Expression Press Freedom Privacy Defamation Libel Contempt Court Reporting Human Rights Celebrities Copyright Media LawyerMediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.comBlogger5271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-28682837203845935902011-07-19T16:16:00.000-07:002011-07-20T12:15:50.816-07:00

So the Spanish Inquisition that was today's Parliamentary Inquiry did not end in blood letting, dramatic revelations or anything significantly new. The highlight was provided by some lesser known 'comedian' and Wendi Deng's swift defence of her husband. How someone was allowed into the committee room armed with a can of shaving foam when one can't bord a plane with a bottle of water is another

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-57623978578795482302011-07-18T13:01:00.000-07:002011-07-18T15:46:16.312-07:00

On the eve of the blood-letting that will be attempted in Parliament tomorrow there is no let-up in the momentum of mud-slinging by politicians trading outrage over what was a phone hacking scandal but has now become a melting-pot for the credibility of both press and police.Before examining the public outrage over the revelations that cops can be complicit in aiding the media agenda (sometimes

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-50118396303961687072011-06-01T15:41:00.000-07:002011-06-01T16:46:23.457-07:00

Fair play to The Sun (+ of course legal team) who continue to put pressure on the High Court - or as it happens Mr Justice Tugendhat - to remove the rest of the discredited superinjunction that sought to cover up Fred the Bed, the Shred, the Banker, Goodwin's affair with a senior Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) colleague.Having secured a partial lifting of the order and been encouraged by support

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-64556857808800682372011-06-01T14:44:00.000-07:002011-06-01T15:25:13.648-07:00

Hot on the heels of Giggsy being exposed (according to the Sunday Times apparently by a banker rather than a journo) and the shredding of Fred Goodwin’s superinjunction which the Sun has been seeking to finish off in the High Court today), privacy pundits have again been in uproar over an anonymous tweeter who has tweeted information about a further super or not so super injunctions (helpfully

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-36781228343631469032011-05-31T14:15:00.000-07:002011-05-31T14:30:59.173-07:00

It’s day one in what should prove to be a lively libel battle between two purveyors of celebrity diets. French diet and diet book bestseller, Jean-Michel Cohen is being sued by Dr Pierre Dukan, who’s Dukan Diet has seemingly attracted a phalanx of celebrity calorie counters from Jennifer Lopez through to the Duchess of Cambridge (formerly Kate Middleton) and sister. Their battle centres around

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-3442334145708437422011-05-31T14:06:00.000-07:002011-05-31T14:15:27.834-07:00

Sarah Oliver, writing in the Mail on Sunday, has decided the recent debate over privacy and superinjunctions make for a timely exposee on a gagging order she was forced to sign over a decade ago when dating gagger-in-chief (alongside other gagging supremos such as Hugh Tomlinson QC) Keith Schilling. Oliver claims she got as far as her second date with Schilling before he slapped a confidentiality

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-69529741638275207512011-05-31T14:01:00.000-07:002011-05-31T14:05:47.957-07:00

Following an application by various newspapers and the BBC, a judge has ruled that the media were allowed to report on “a deprivation of liberty order” issued by Hillingdon Borough Council actually unlawfully deprived a vulnerable person of their liberty.The Court of Protection which deals with people deemed to be ‘vulnerable’ such a those with various forms of impairment or at risk, is normally

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-68337865982823457192011-05-24T12:14:00.000-07:002011-05-24T12:27:06.546-07:00

After the partial lifting of the superinjunction over Fred the Shred’s affair last week, the Daily Mail published a piece in which it created a profile of the banker Fred had been bonking. Now that bonking banker (who was identified as a senior executive who had worked alongside Fred the Banker at RBS) has unleashed her (and Fred’s) counsel, Hugh Tomlinson QC to persuade the High Court to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-2560322904775637252011-05-23T16:08:00.000-07:002011-05-24T12:43:05.790-07:00

It was only a question of time before the law's if not the country's worst kept 'secret' was outed and Ryan Giggs was exposed as the anonymous claimant 'CTB' behind another 'super'injunction.Whether MP John Hemming had been put up to his stunt in Parliament today or whether he did it out of altruism or self interest is broadly irrelevant, the fact is that he was able to drop in Giggs' name under

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-64748160450701902482011-05-23T11:04:00.000-07:002011-05-23T11:23:12.660-07:00

With the discredited superinjunctions collapsing around the courtrooms, the similarly discredited superinjunction user Sir “Fred the Bed” Goodwin (you have to credit The Sun with some top headlines) has had his veil of secrecy lifted to reveal he was trying to cover up the fact he had been bonking a fellow banker - - Fred is no stranger to seeking superinjunctions for spurious reasons - as

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-34492237254425049602011-05-23T10:55:00.000-07:002011-05-23T11:03:45.743-07:00

John (Lord) Prescott (former Deputy PM under Labour) has been granted the right to proceed with his judicial review action regarding the actions of the Metropolitan police in relation to their phone hacking inquiries.Prescott joins a number of others, including former top cop Brian Paddick, who have been demanding a judicial review of how the police had looked into the News of the World phone

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-7758052209370438912011-05-18T15:11:00.000-07:002011-05-18T15:20:45.927-07:00

It’s time for a serious shake-up of the UK’s ageing IP laws such as the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act or 1994 Trade Mark Act to bring the law in the UK into line with today’s digital era and keep the economy competitive by promoting innovation.The publication of Digital Opportunity follows a six-month independent review of IP and Growth, led by Professor Ian Hargreaves. He was tasked to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-23694342584547518222011-05-18T14:27:00.000-07:002011-05-18T14:38:37.017-07:00

And as predicted (by Mediabeak and others) after Sienna Miller’s payout last week, the floodgates have opened up early this week and quick to get in there was Ulrika Jonsson who has unleashed Charlotte Harris from law firm Mischon de Reya to go after the News of the World for her slice of compensation. Harris will be busy as she’s also reported to be lining up a similar privacy action for James

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-14186402870568829332011-05-17T15:30:00.000-07:002011-05-17T16:31:11.178-07:00

Does Mr Justice Eady’s ruling that so upset Imogen Thomas (The Sun kept a distance and silent) spell an end to the Kiss’n’Tell and what does it tell us about the new privacy law? His judgment is a salient reminder that the raft of cases and superinjunctions and football shagging (gagging) orders seen of late are not there to serve the interests of philandering sports stars or others seeking to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-84474901256938182032011-05-17T14:48:00.000-07:002011-05-18T15:07:17.267-07:00

The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) has published its annual review for 2010 and showcased the good work and results it has achieved over the past year. The full report and statistics are available on its dedicated microsite and positioned under the banner 'Perspectives' whereby it seeks to showcase its workings through those who have experienced them (such as BBC presenter Clare Balding).

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-89771723185055879022011-05-16T13:00:00.000-07:002011-05-16T14:53:14.368-07:00

Mr Justice Eady has today refused to set aside the gagging order (privacy injunction) preventing busty Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas and The Sun from revealing the identity of the Premier League footballer Thomas had claimed to have had an affair with. The judge was clearly not impressed or convinced by Thomas’ tales and used the judgment as a platform for clarifying the judicial

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-79574977067905696752011-05-13T14:18:00.000-07:002011-05-18T14:27:15.851-07:00

It’s the beginning of the big backlash for News International which is having to set aside £millions to compensate those its papers hacked off. Sienna Miller’s payout was not as massive as some had speculated but at £100,000 its testimony to the fact that privacy invasion through dodgy practices doesn’t come cheap. The payout also sets the bar higher than even Max Mosley’s record privacy award of

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-78005501070917258852011-05-13T13:04:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:22:18.603-07:00

In what can best be described as an unusual set of circumstances legally, the High Court has given permission to the Crown Prosecution Service to bring contempt proceedings against The Sun and Daily Mirror over their coverage of the hunt for the killer of Jo Yeates who was found murdered in Bristol on Christmas Day last year.The papers had both splashed on the arrest of Yeates’ landlord,

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-78136374473837173852011-04-12T14:00:00.000-07:002011-04-12T15:57:08.120-07:00

A group of disgruntled Huffers (or Huffington Post bloggers - or former bloggers as the case may be) have decided they were entitled to a slice of the profitable proceeds of Huffington Post's sell-out to AOL and are seeking compensation for providing content to the site which they claim contributed to its value and sale value.Having had a bit of time to reflect on the sale of the site to AOL for

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-39652359781187877092011-04-07T14:33:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:55:11.823-07:00

With only a few weeks until the Royal Wedding where Prince William will marry Kate Middleton it can come as no surprise that the media interest and quest for pre-wedding coverage of the couple and everything and anything to do with them will see reporters and photographers pursue stories and pictures with renewed vigour.Kate Middleton and her family are by now no strangers to media attention and

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-75112913780420762212011-04-05T14:35:00.000-07:002011-04-05T15:03:39.575-07:00

Media regulator Ofcom has decided that the remarks made about Mexicans on the hit BBC TV show Top Gear were not in breach of the Broadcast Code.As previously reported on Mediabeak, presenters on Top Gear cause outrage over their comments about Mexicans during a programme broadcast in January this year.Presenter Richard Hammond had lined up the Mexican mockery by stating:“Why would you want a

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-68882655105026795692011-04-05T13:32:00.000-07:002011-04-05T14:33:17.966-07:00

The person behind the naming and shaming website 'Solicitors from Hell' , Rick Kordowski, has had his defence to a libel action blown out of court by a not impressed Mr Justice Tugendhat who considered his self-represented defence to be an abuse of process.The issue:The site elicits feedback from disgruntled clients who are no doubt appreciative of a forum through which to vent their displeasure

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-90364318727587992342011-03-29T12:43:00.000-07:002011-03-29T14:07:23.247-07:00

The Court of Appeal has allowed a libel (tourism) action to proceed against the Times after TimesOnline upset Russia's wealthiest businesswoman, Elena Baturina, billionaire and wife of former Moscow Mayor, Yuri Luzhko.The Times published an article speculating she had bought a £50m pied a terre in London and was planning further work on it - supposedly a further £50m - which will get you quite a

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-13412259768730059122011-03-23T14:32:00.000-07:002011-03-23T15:19:47.717-07:00

Associated Newspapers has this week reached a High Court settlement to pay undisclosed damages and costs to Lily Allen over an article and photo that it published on its Mail Online website under the headline: "Pregnant Lily spends £3m on stunning Cotswold home".Allen launched proceedings after the article appeared last September alleging invasion of privacy and copyright infringement. The basis

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-33126025133191846172011-03-22T16:12:00.000-07:002011-03-22T16:51:32.028-07:00

Baroness Buscombe, Chair of the PCC has today addressed the Westminster Media Forum with a talk on privacy and online media and sought to make out the case why the PCC is indeed fit for purpose to regulate and police privacy.The PCC has in the past been much maligned as a toothless regulator with minimal powers to reign in the excesses of the media - especially when it comes to privacy. Over the

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-45561485751662114742011-03-21T13:07:00.000-07:002011-03-21T15:53:16.693-07:00

The Hull Daily Mail (or its reporter) has successfully challenged an anonymity application to ensure a convicted rapist was able t be named.David Bullock had raped a girl at knifepoint back in 1982 and was after nearly 30 years finally caught up in a police cold case operation after his DNA was matched from another crime scene in 2007. Bullock admitted the crimes but sought an anonymity order

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-21076057263589351122011-03-19T14:41:00.000-07:002011-03-21T15:02:18.213-07:00

The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) has censured the Scottish Daily Mail for its harassment of the parent of a student demonstrator.The student had been one of many protesting over tuition fees in London when things got out of hand and there were violent clashes with police. Various photographs emerged including one where the student was seen to attempt to get hold of a police officer's hat.

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-72739608497824277522011-03-17T14:54:00.000-07:002011-03-17T15:27:38.309-07:00

The question of whether cameras have a place in the courtroom has been debated for well over a decade with US show trials such as that of OJ Simpson cited as a major reason why they should not. Fast forward to today and we alrady have accepted and allowed television cameras into the Supreme Court and parliamentary inquiries.The real question has shifted from whether we should televise trials to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-2521272176827479622011-03-16T14:14:00.000-07:002011-03-16T15:26:48.669-07:00

The authors of an Australian TV comedy 'The Games', a parody about the Sydney Olympic Games that originally aired on Australian television in 1998 and 2000, have claimed that the BBC mockumentary Twenty Twelve (which follows the progress or lack thereof of the crack team in charge of London's 2012 Olympic Games)substantially copied their original show.John Clarke and Ross Stevenson say that their

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-67662871506690245952011-03-15T14:40:00.000-07:002011-03-22T13:22:47.204-07:00

The Ministry of Justice has today published its long awaited draft Defamation Bill which brings a well overdue and much anticipated shake up of the much maligned and media unfriendly libel laws.Key provisions in the draft Bill include:•A new 'public interest' defence which can be used by defendants in defamation cases. •A requirement for claimants to demonstrate substantial harm before they can

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-89326728636526078242011-03-14T14:49:00.000-07:002011-03-14T15:10:53.020-07:00

The Tweetosphere is coming increasingly under the spotlight of libel laws and the Uk has seen its possibly first High Court action following an electoral spat between by-election candidates in Wales that supposedly left a Caerphilly councillor 'open to ridicule'.The allegation and story are actually more mundane than the potential precedent this case sets. A competing council candidate had

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-77798036566653356672011-03-14T14:32:00.000-07:002011-03-14T15:36:39.241-07:00

A US court has upheld a previous decision allowing the US Government access to the IP addresss of Twitter accounts linked to Wikileaks.The ruling turns on semantics seeking to justify itself by not seeking disclosure of the contents of the Tweets rather than just seeking to show the fact there was a tweet and link between that tweet and wikileaks.More from The Register

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-12225413290421389782011-03-11T00:56:00.000-08:002011-03-11T17:48:11.346-08:00

If ever there was proof that the 'super injunction' is as flawed as it is ridiculous here we have the case of Fred the Shred aka Sir Frederick Anderson Goodwin, former head at the time of the collapsing Royal Bank of Scotland - seeking and obtaining an injunction to - supposedly - prevent him being referred to as a banker.So let's start with the obvious - he was in charge of the Royal BANK of

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-59690681977409007722011-03-11T00:18:00.000-08:002011-03-11T17:19:06.688-08:00

Libel actions invariably feature a footballer or lower grade celebrity and the higher circulation tabloid press but here we have a case of a conservative broadsheet - the Telegraph - deciding and failing to check - that it was acceptable to call into question the ruling of one of the country's top judges in relation to a care home.While it is part of the remit of the press as part of the

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-3609839746435699052011-03-10T17:22:00.000-08:002011-03-11T17:46:11.642-08:00

The extradition hearing and pending appeal has heard argument and evidence over the procedural propriety and motives surrounding the Swedish extradition case against Julian Assange but reports out this week from Swedish paper Expressenclaim that the investigating police officer who initiated the case against Assange was in fact a friend an politically allied to one of the two accusers in this

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-89783468189212247662011-03-08T15:04:00.000-08:002011-03-08T15:40:16.184-08:00

This week could finally see the concluding episode of one of George Lucas' longer running off-screen battles as his copyright infringement action over Stormtrooper helmets gets heard by the Supreme Court.BackstoryThe prop designer - Andrew Ainsworth - who had built the original props for the original Star Wars film in 1977 - had produced some replicas and sold these. George Lucas got all upset

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-84671694315129069582011-03-08T12:35:00.000-08:002011-03-08T16:20:01.138-08:00

The NUJ is normally there to support and uphold journalists' rights but in this case it - or its publication - got the article and tone horribly wrong and ended up with a justified libel action.What makes this case worse is that the journalist in question - Suzanne Breen - was actually standing up for one of the most fundamental journalistic principles namely protecting ones sources. Quite what

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-30926339008721828762011-03-07T14:46:00.000-08:002011-03-07T15:03:16.383-08:00

A child who had suffered severe disability after being starved of oxygen during treatment has had his anonymity preserved in relation to a personal injury settlement secured on his behalf against Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.Mr Justice Tugendhat ruled that anonymity should be granted as it was possible that the boy could see his condition improve and have the capacity to make his own

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-89107745711493476452011-03-06T13:58:00.000-08:002011-03-06T15:33:11.379-08:00

Exactly what fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir did to upset Courtney Love is not clear though reports suggest there may have been an unwelcome bill for some clothing but whether it was the bill or value for money, Courtney Love vented her displeasure online both on the designers website and on Twitter, branding her a lier and thief. Simorangkir issued proceedings in Los Angeles in 2009 News of

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-14798232439950313502011-03-04T15:03:00.000-08:002011-03-04T16:47:22.696-08:00

Oh to be instructed on this case! - Pop ikon who is not averse to sporting a costume made up of processed cured meats is apparently outraged at London ice cream vendor for serving up a choice scoop of ice cream made out of breast milk. Mediabeak loves this and will happily act for either party for free.What's ths issue:The self-styled Lady Gaga is well known as a pop celebrity who masquerades

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-50395799138950644892011-03-04T14:24:00.000-08:002011-03-04T14:53:37.544-08:00

Lady Kristina Moore - also or previously known as 'Kiki' is showing that the wife of former James Bond star Roger Moore may be shaken but not stirred over the Daily Mail's decision to publish a story about her relationships back in the 1950's. Unimpressed by the paper's version of events - which she says are defamatory - Mrs Bond has issued High Court proceedings and is claiming aggravated

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-87746023454257103472011-03-03T14:21:00.000-08:002011-03-03T16:40:54.320-08:00

A contempt of court case against The Sun and the Daily Mail has been upheld after a High Court ruling that both the Sun and Daily Mail were in contempt of court for publishing pictures of a defendant in a murder trial seemingly 'posing with a gun.What is important and carries implications in this case is the fact that the papers -or to be precise, their websites - had obtained the pictures online

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-5700590872892191092011-03-02T13:42:00.000-08:002011-03-02T14:25:56.601-08:00

Google has been in litigation with the Spanish data protection authorities over a claim that the search engine was violating privacy.The key question is whether in providing a link to an online article by a newspaper (or any other third party) the person publishing the link (in this case Google) is violating privacy if the story to which it is linking contains material that could be deemed to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-12989064696324787322011-03-02T13:32:00.000-08:002011-03-02T15:15:17.452-08:00

Some consolation from cyberland for the now seemingly outcast Galliano - an arbitrator from WIPO (the World Intellectual Property Organisation)has determined that John Galliano does have trademark rights in his name and the domain name galliano.fr should be transferred over to him.Whether he will still have need for a French domain name remains to be seen - the Paris prosecutors are charging him

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-85440554415211665092011-03-01T14:12:00.000-08:002011-03-01T14:33:55.180-08:00

The Independent newspaper has today agreed to pay undisclosed libel damages to Lizo Mzimba over a story that orignated from a Cambridge University student magazine and claimed that Mzimba had perhaps had too many drinks and ended up taped to a wall when on a visit (that it was alleged was work related) to Cambridge.After some legal clarification from Mzimba's lawyer (Jonathan Coad) it appears

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-88852400392726080942011-03-01T13:47:00.000-08:002011-03-01T14:06:24.525-08:00

As reported on Mediabeak - the father of an autistic boy has been battling with Hillingdon council to be allowed to care for him at home. Previously such cases would be shrouded behind closed doors and not subject to the scrutiny they need.In delivering his decision today Mr Justice Jackson allowed the collective media's application to attend the court proceedings and identify those

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-54938700196174719402011-03-01T12:45:00.000-08:002011-03-01T13:15:11.643-08:00

OK so the benefit of the doubt got blown out of the window courtesy of The Sun which had got hold of a 'rant' captured on videophone. This does for Galliano on three fronts:First - he can't deny what he said and the fact it is totally out of order (if not illegal)Second - while Dior (LVMH) might have moved prudently to suspend him they - as any corporate - would have had no choice other than to '

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-77543314360864353672011-02-28T14:58:00.000-08:002011-02-28T15:18:24.047-08:00

The UK's court rooms have been closed shops when it comes to family and care proceedings. Over the years we have seen a catalogue of issues and questionable cases relying on equally questionable 'expert' witnesses.There has been a very gradual shift to open family proceedings but today has seen the first step in the right direction for care - or 'protection' - hearings as they are now known,

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-33182282745800506072011-02-28T14:36:00.000-08:002011-02-28T14:50:57.953-08:00

What better way to while away the time between extradition ruling and appeal than to file a trade mark application for ones own name. Yes, Julian Assange has - on the 14 February - applied to trade mark his own name under Class 41 goods and services: Public speaking services; news reporter services; journalism; publication of texts other than publicity texts; education services; entertainment

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-73448376904530672362011-02-27T13:45:00.000-08:002011-02-27T16:00:38.236-08:00

High drama in high fashion week as John Galliano got arrested by the Paris police for allegedly unleashing an anti-semitic and racist rant at some fellow café customers.The alleged crime:According to his accusers - a Géraldine Bloch and a Philippe Virgiti - the top (if eccentric) fashion designer - sat at a table at one of the capital's more hip cafés - La Perle - and, having ordered a mojito to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-22524150545845396912011-02-24T15:52:00.000-08:002011-02-24T18:02:02.735-08:00

Another day inside and outsisde Belmarsh and Assange got his answer and the media their headlines - he's getting extradited to Sweden. (Full judgment here)It wasn't a done deal and still is subject to appeal but reviewing the evidence (in the public domain) and the judgment issued by Mr Justice Riddle, Mediabeak concludes that the legal argument supporting the decision to extradite on the grounds

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-81434480635751848642011-02-23T14:09:00.000-08:002011-02-23T15:50:30.289-08:00

OK so Facebook bosses are naturally less than happy about the Daily Mail's coverage of a 'sex ring' in Devon that - it would appear - used social networking to prey on underage girls. Facebook having been mentioned as one of the social networks paedophiles may have been using, the Daily Mail ran a headline: "How many more victims of Facebook sex gang?". The Mail removed the headline online but is

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-11238300573679807182011-02-23T13:26:00.000-08:002011-02-23T13:46:53.400-08:00

So will the UK try to wash its hands of Assange or will His Honour - Judge Riddle - decide that Swedish prosecutors can't simply use a trial by media to secure an actual show trial back in Sweden?According to one of the more learned placed legal sources, Matrix chambers' Julian Knowles, Assange should pack his bags and expect an imminent journey to meet Marianne Ny in Stockholm. Speaking on BBC

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-23788474261009158372011-02-23T13:06:00.000-08:002011-02-23T13:21:13.120-08:00

Twitter is down just as the Tweeting from Benghazi was getting interesting. Not known for its tolerance of free speech and reporting what is left of Gaddafi's dictatorship has warned 'western' journalists that they will be treated as 'outlaws' - a dictatorial sub-text of 'if you try and report what is going on we will shoot you'. Let's hope not too many people get shot trying to report on how

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-18384892090510911492011-02-22T13:57:00.000-08:002011-02-22T14:09:10.703-08:00

What was arguably one of the sport's most messy and mutinous affairs could be set for some more airtime when the libel action by those at the centre of the affair against one of their key accusers - Giles Clarke of the ECB - hits the High Court in July.As reported by the Telegraph some four weeks of court time have been set aside for this courtroom test match that will prove to be either bravado

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-91438051358374301412011-02-21T12:44:00.000-08:002011-02-21T13:20:10.731-08:00

This week sees "a businessman with substantial interests in commercial property in the London area" pursue his libel action against the Evening Standard over its suggestions that he had "a bad reputation for being part of an organised crime group and for violent criminal behaviour".The case follows the publication by the paper of a story last year that suggested David Hunt was engaged in various

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-91900663189644080352011-02-20T15:15:00.000-08:002011-02-20T15:33:48.390-08:00

We've seen the UK push back on the European Convention on Human Rights and question compliance with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights - notably over prisoner voting rights - so what happens next.Some may say this is another example of the UK being dictated over by Europe while others - notably European Court Judges - say the UK is being dictatorial by not wishing to comply with

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-35325644487562493242011-02-20T14:35:00.000-08:002011-02-20T15:04:48.679-08:00

The idea that a TV programme about people being scammed - or hustled - could actually have itself done just that by hiring those who were hustled is somewhat amusing. So here's how the 'con' is meant to have been worked:The mark = the BBCThe con = to sell a reality programme playing off the interest in/success of the BBC drama series Hustle but featuring real life people who had actually been

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-88286276324627578622011-02-17T14:00:00.000-08:002011-02-18T02:01:13.364-08:00

Victim identification is one of the key areas of reporting restrictions and one of the most basic mistakes a reporter can make with some of the most upsetting consequences for the victim.In this case Take a Break magazine had run a touching real-life story about two sisters who has been abused by their stepfather when they were younger. The issue was that only one of the sisters had agreed to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-9693892218111979142011-02-16T13:07:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:30:14.368-08:00

Things are not looking too promising for the Knox family and they are probably wishing they hadn't 'spoken out' over the police process that saw Amanda Knox sent to jail for the murder of Meredith Kercher and could lead to Curt Knox and Edda Mellas being prosecuted for libelling the Italian police.Aside from the murder conviction, Amanda Knox is already on her second libel action -she has already

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-2288953426288143972011-02-16T12:48:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:04:35.855-08:00

While Julian Assange awaits the outcome of his extradition fate, the wider Wikileaks war is heating up over in the US. While the State Department is scrambling all of its darkest forces to compile a conspiracy case that would see Private Bradley Manning (who is suspected of leaking confidential material to Wikileaks) banged up and (if they had their way) Assange beheaded, a court in Virginia is

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-11733563156447325852011-02-15T06:02:00.001-08:002011-02-15T06:02:41.896-08:00

David Beckham had his day in court cut short after a US judge dismissed his £15m libel claim against In Touch magazine. Becks was suing over a story that he supposedly bedded prostitute Irma Nici. The fact that Beckham had been thousands of miles away on the night in question made no difference to the case under US libel law which does not concern itself with whether or not a story has been

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-40844741594805973012011-02-14T13:09:00.000-08:002011-02-14T13:17:58.859-08:00

Surreal scenes at Chelmsford Crown Court as judge declares: “The case is stale, if not the sausage.” The Telegraph scores the best legal news story of the day with its report about an assault case involving a flying sausage! In dismissing the case of the rogue sausage he observed that if he entertained the case it could among other things damage the dignity of the court. The sausage it would seem

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-26142734983264572212011-02-14T13:03:00.000-08:002011-02-14T13:08:31.744-08:00

As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald US prosecutors are stepping up their bid to bag Assange and are seeking to force Twitter to disclose the details of those who might have Tweeted with Assange and/or Wikileaks. This will prove interesting as the scale of the order the prosecutors are seeking from the court is globally reaching and as such will pose equaly global jurisdictional challenges -

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-70398270570059472672011-02-14T12:49:00.000-08:002011-02-14T13:03:12.058-08:00

It all seemed to be a mutually agreeable crusade for free speech when the Guardian set out to assist in publishing of the Wikileaks documents that have caused so much upset and culminated in Assange fighting extradition to Sweden.But not so, his love-in with the paper was short-lived and now that he seems quite happy in a courtroom, Assange is repeating his threats to sue the paper over the

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-52220577749240266832011-02-10T13:40:00.000-08:002011-02-10T13:50:33.443-08:00

As reported in the Guardian and elsewhere, French President Sarkozy has been accused of using a particularly gruesome murder case that has dominated the headlines as an excuse for having a go at judges for being too lax with sentencing.Sarkozy seeking to make political capital out of a high profile murder case - surely not? Well whatever his motives, his actions have spectacularly back-fired and

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-9278371793335699132011-02-09T13:39:00.000-08:002011-02-09T15:01:59.291-08:00

The PCC has today released its guidance on the prominence of online apologies and critical adjudications in relation to newspapers and magazines.This has long been a much debated and equally derided topic with many complainants (and their lawyers) feeling outraged that a front page splash which turned out to be wrong was only met with a small apology buried deep in a newspaper on into a

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-5728741609277253322011-02-08T18:14:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:38:20.527-08:00

So day two of Julian Assange's extradition hearing at the Belmarsh theatre closed but did not conclude as there was more to be said and the next instalment is up on Friday.Among the several things to come out during day two of questions was the lack of answers coming out of Sweden about the prosecution process upon which the extradition request is supposedly pinned. For those who suspected a

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-8471955176632671832011-02-08T13:27:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:00:03.322-08:00

When twits tweet - summary from the PCC Press release:The Press Complaints Commission has made its first ruling about the republication of information originally posted on Twitter. In response to complaints about articles published in the Daily Mail and the Independent on Sunday, the Commission concluded that there had been no breach of Clause 3 (Privacy) of the Editors' Code of Practice.The

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-47096398582790552982011-02-07T16:58:00.000-08:002011-02-08T01:02:59.988-08:00

So it was a tense day at Belmarsh Magistrates Court and what - ironically - sets this case apart from the majority heard here - the 'defendant' has not actually been charged with any offence or been proven to have done anything wrong (other than upsest a string of international authorities and corporations by facilitating the publication of their seemingly inappropriate or illegal activities).So

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-58007059604694708572011-02-07T16:06:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:53:55.794-08:00

So Roy Greenslade - normally on the money - considers that Lucy Kellaway's encounter with Max Mosley is a pro-Mosley piece. Forgive Mediabeak but I did not read Kellaway's encounter with Mosley as being an epiphany over his right to privacy, rather she portrayed the anguish of a sophisticated and perhaps emotionally detached person in denial of the private side of their life that got them into

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-82692366976676174302011-02-07T14:39:00.000-08:002011-02-07T15:22:12.334-08:00

There is always a fine balance between informing the public, reporting or presenting a dramatic depiction of events with the aim of stimulating debate and discussion on the one hand - AND - gratuitously exploiting vile crimes and the misery of those touched by them. There have been informative documentaties about crimes, there are drama series about crime investigations (such as the successful

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-38306501784268804362011-02-07T14:06:00.000-08:002011-02-08T05:55:04.070-08:00

A judge in the US has started what could become a free speech storm by banning people from leafleting jurors in and around the courthouse. A group, calling itself the Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA), that campaigns for the rights of jurors to be properly informed and not feel pressured – has itself been pressured with a court order banning it from leafleting around courthouses in Orange

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-78094601503640516982011-02-07T12:38:00.000-08:002011-02-07T15:48:35.282-08:00

A seemingly sorry tale of someone who saw an opportunity to scam their employer - The People newspaper - by pretending that they were paying lots of contributors while lining their own coffers. Though it appears that in this case - apart from paying for a better eductation for their daughter - they were sharing the spoils for the greater good.While the judge seemed sympathetic to their actions

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-33531400797282185452011-02-03T11:18:00.000-08:002011-02-03T11:29:19.975-08:00

In what could prove to be the undoing of the cartels sporting associations and broadcasters have been running in relation to transmission rights, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has today released a the view of Advocate General Julianne Kokott, who states that territorial exclusivity agreements relating to the transmission of football matches are contrary to European Law. What this means:

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-45097641935912075282011-02-02T16:39:00.000-08:002011-02-02T17:36:46.102-08:00

All hail the super injunction which alongside the libel tourism visas is among the most undermining constructs to be evolved through and tolerated by the common law system of justice that seeks to weave its way among the various legislative intitiatives or lack of such in recent years.To PRIVACY laws and one of Mediabeak's greatest irritants namely, neither legislature not judiciary in the UK

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-59690601440795048142011-02-02T15:14:00.000-08:002011-02-03T13:52:47.588-08:00

It was the Hamster aka Richard Hammond who pipped Jeremy Clarkson to the post in the latest Top Gear offensiveness ratings (though why people watch the show and then complain about the fact it is not nice about their trashy cars or generally rude about females and foreigners may seem a mystery - its like watching a porn channel and complaining that it is depraved) - except the BBC and Ofcom do

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-38523176600676357582011-02-02T14:49:00.000-08:002011-02-02T15:11:03.812-08:00

It was hardly the biggest transgression in the list of questionable MP's expenses claims (no wallpaper, garden landscaping, moats, second homes) but the East Kilbride News had suggested that local MP Michael McCann had pocketed £1,150 in hotel bills (so obviously not bedding down with Lenny Henry at Premier Inn then) while at the same time having a rented property in London. Not so it would seem

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-74820863434418720672011-02-01T14:37:00.000-08:002011-02-01T15:08:15.968-08:00

It was a principled stand by Hardeep Singh when he wrote what proved to be his offending article in the Sikh Times back in 2007 in which he accused the self proclaimed Indian religious figure known as His Holiness Sant Baba Jeet Singh Ji Maharaj of being a less than genuine person who it could be claimed was linked to a religious 'cult' (that's with an 'l' Mr Paxman).The evil Maharaj (sorry that

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-18558329252500314402011-02-01T10:42:00.000-08:002011-02-01T16:31:07.831-08:00

FT Editor Lionel Barber delivered a stimultating (once it got past the history of the FT bit) talk at the London College of Communication's annual Hugh Cudlipp lecture. Drawing on but not gloating over fellow journalists phone hacking activities and citing the wikileaks phenomenon and controversy, he made a number of points which collectively all underpinned one message - the collective media (

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-9842551722012809892011-01-31T15:25:00.000-08:002011-01-31T16:06:05.748-08:00

Are judicial gagging orders - or as they should be called: Shagging Orders - a natural development of our privacy laws or are they merely a pay as you go way of stopping the press reporting on footballers (and others - such as golfers) who play away as they go?In the latest round of the footballer known only as 'JIH' whatever that may stand for or not and his away games with YY from his partner

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-89090842253794000502011-01-27T15:47:00.000-08:002011-01-27T15:58:47.242-08:00

The time has come to work with the media to define its role rather than seek tougher measures to control its excesses. We are told that journalism is in crisis and our tabloids are running amok. That responsible journalism is being replaced by sensationalistic headlines and reporting. People, notably celebrities, increasingly claim that their privacy is being invaded. The number of successful

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-11976637356221932922011-01-27T15:32:00.000-08:002011-01-27T15:43:57.603-08:00

Of course media ethics are in a mess but in no more of a mess than the ethics of the society about which the media reports.Writing in the Guardian, Simon Jenkins sets the scene for the current debate about what many see as this terrible media beast that is corrupting our society.While not condoning all the media's excesses, especially where there has been political or unduly commerical collusion

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-46257210371036584432011-01-24T15:04:00.000-08:002011-01-26T14:52:48.702-08:00

OK so its been a while but that's because the Beak has actually been too busy working to blog - sigh. Yes but even the demigod of IP Blogger Lawrence Lessig had to wind down his blog the other year because of too much life and work going on - though he's probably even more important and got even more important work on than the Beak...anyway for those of you out there who do tune in the Beak is

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-18248193596319064792010-01-08T12:11:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:19:41.284-08:00

The PCC says Jacqui Smith – former Home Secretary who took a bashing in the press after it was revealed that her expenses claim included charges for adult films her husband had viewed has resolved her complaint against the Daily Mail. In line with reports on broadcast and other media, the paper had published a story claiming that Smith was “haggling” over £500 of expenses that MP’s expenses

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-29691735902841168312010-01-07T17:21:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:26:17.679-08:00

Oil company Trafigura which kept the courts and The Guardian’s legal department busy last year with its libel and other threats relating the articles about the alleged effects its alleged disposal of allegedly toxic waste was having on the health of people in the factually verified as affected western region of Africa has sent in the lawyers again. Having made legal history in seeking to suppress

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-19361539089788410832010-01-07T12:26:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:29:58.035-08:00

As reported in the Guardian and Liberation, France is planning to introduce a ‘Google Tax’ aimed at returning revenues from the internet to the artistic and cultural sphere. The idea is to tax Google, Yahoo and potentially other major internet portals on their advertising revenue and then use the monies to fund cultural projects. This very much follows the spirit of continental European copyright

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-47546640064257238042010-01-06T12:33:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:39:45.965-08:00

The Press Association successfully challenged a court order that – using the discretionary powers of Section 39 of the Childrens and Young Persons Act 1933 – prevented journalists from naming the child of a mother who was convicted for child neglect.Facts:Rebecca Ireland had gone on a drink and drunk binge in April last year before ending up in bed with her six week old daughter. She awoke to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-33013869156221115992010-01-06T12:30:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:32:55.621-08:00

The PPC has declared that the use of the word “tranny” was both pejorative and a ‘needless abbreviation’ and as such was discrimination under Clause 12 of the PPC code Facts:A male to female transsexual had worked as a rape counsellor in Belfast. Sunday Life newspaper ran a story in November 2009 about the person under the headline “Tranny worked in rape centre”. The article questioned their

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-86898868038607975112009-12-15T12:23:00.000-08:002009-12-15T12:28:50.056-08:00

Leona Lewis may have managed to get Look magazine to publish an apology and the PCC may consider this enough to settle the matter but is this really enough?One issue that remains contentious is the adequacy of printed apologies as remedies. While the offending stories are usually splashed across the front pages, apologies tend to get buried deep inside a magazine or paper’s content. In her recent

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-49300986523842441622009-12-15T12:06:00.000-08:002009-12-15T12:29:42.758-08:00

Fashion and gossip magazine Look has said sorry to former X-Factor winner Leona Lewis after publishing a story that suggested she was making ‘emotional calls’ to he mother and not coping with the pressures of stardom. The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) which received a complaint by the singer over the story, has concluded that the apology published in a subsequent edition was sufficient enough

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-79355156087899698102009-12-15T11:56:00.000-08:002009-12-15T14:27:40.018-08:00

The Press Standards Board of Finance has announced that it has given the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) the go-ahead to extend its scrutiny over the press to publications that are only available online. In 2007 the PCC expanded its role to cover online content on newspaper and magazine websites but given the surge in internet-based/internet only publications, this extension in remit allow the

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-23441054651706582232009-12-15T11:27:00.000-08:002009-12-15T14:18:09.306-08:00

The PCC has deemed a claim against The Sun to be resolved after the paper removed the nude photograph that appeared alongside an article about her relationship. The article appeared in 2006 but was still available online. A rare occasion where The Sun has removed a nude woman from its pages….

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-73563876606621417662009-11-25T14:57:00.000-08:002009-11-25T15:08:38.682-08:00

According to The Daily Star’s analysis of media reports and Twitter, ousted Sugababe Keisha Buchanan has threatened to see Amelle Berrabah in court for suggesting she was a bully. Rumours have been rife since relations in the band soured and Keisha, the sole survivor of the original sugary line-up, was replaced. It was suggested that Berrabah succumbed to nervous exhaustion after being on the

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The Scottish Daily Record has been censured by the PCC (Press Complaints Commission) for harassing a pregnant woman after it had agreed to leave her alone.Facts: Nicola Shields was reported to have become pregnant by professional footballer Sol Bamba who plays for the Scottish Premier League side Hibs. She was approached by the paper to confirm the story earlier in the year but had refused to

Mediabeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158474201230425980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065213.post-29803991788226932662009-11-16T12:40:00.000-08:002009-11-16T13:06:00.271-08:00

More from the Society of Editors conference - Shadow Justice Secretary Dominic Grieveclaimed today that the justice system in England and Wales was teetering on the brink of collapse - Grieve said “I don’t want to sound apocalyptic but we are in fact facing a serious crisis in the administration of justice which is teetering on the brink between passable efficiency and collapse" How that's not

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Addressing the Society of Editors today, Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge commented on the current debate around the need for reform of libel laws. He said he was not impressed by the number of libel cases winging their way to the High Court and being dubbed the libel capital of the world was no badge of honour for London. He said that forum shopping had no appeal and that as is the case with

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The Lord Chief Justice, the top judge in England and Wales, has said that an independent press and an independent judiciary are the cornerstones of democracy and should work hand in hand to ensure they remain so.Speaking at the Society of Editors’ annual conference, Lord Judge said that the fabric of society was based on a free press and independent judiciary and urged journalists to ensure they

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Carrie Prejean - or Miss California as she may otherwise be identified - has, it would appear, suddenly settled her libel action against the Miss California pageant.FactsHaving been crowned Miss California, Prejean was dethroned in June this year after she 'failed to carry out her duties' - or as was more publicly the case - because of her unapproving commments over gay marriages. Prejean had

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Peter Andre - popster and ex-husband of the phenomenon known as Jordan aka Katie Price - has this week won 'substantial' libel damages against Now Magazine. FactsBack in July the magazine had run an article that suggested Andre had been too busy playing about with his musical equipment to properly supervise Katie Price's disabled son Harvey who had consequently had a couple of accidents. The

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