Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 16:14:59 +0100 From: David Subject: [or-world] Fwd: 'Net Libel' law to be challenged in Europe >To: OutRage! Isles >From: David >Subject: Fwd: 'Net Libel' law to be challenged in Europe > > >>X-Envelope-To: mehdi@globalnet.co.uk >>From: "Outcast Magazine" >>To: "Outcast Magazine" >>Subject: 'Net Libel' law to be challenged in Europe >>Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 14:07:36 +0100 >>Organization: Outcast Publishing Limited >>X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200 >>X-Envelope-From: mail@outcastmagazine.co.uk >> >>P R E S S R E L E A S E >>For immediate use - 12th April 2000 >> >> >>Outcast editor to challenge 'Net Libel' law in the >>European Court of Human Rights >> >> >>The editor of a radical current affairs magazine has begun a legal challenge >>to amend the law that holds Internet Service Providers (ISPs) liable for the >>content of all websites they host. It will be the first European Court case >>concerning freedom of expression on the Internet. >> >>Chris Morris will argue that the current law effectively prevents small >>magazines and individuals from publishing controversial articles on the >>Internet. Outcast's own website was suspended two weeks ago because lawyers >>for a rival magazine warned Outcast's ISP, NetBenefit PLC, that an article >>due to appear on the site next month might be defamatory to their client. >>The site was closed down immediately and is now hosted in exile on a server >>in America. >> >>Morris will be represented by David Price, a leading libel lawyer, who will >>argue that the current law breaches Article 10 of the European Convention of >>Human Rights - the right to freedom of speech. >> >>Chris Morris, said today: >> >>'The current law is unworkable. Whereas editors can make informed decisions >>about whether to publish controversial articles, having heard all the >>evidence, ISPs can only decide whether or not they trust the word of the >>journalist. It would be very expensive for them to fact check every >>article, so they err on the side of caution. >> >>'Ministers have been unable to give an assurance that this issue will be >>given parliamentary time. A legal challenge seems to me to be the only way >>to put this issue on the agenda, and ensure that the law is clarified. >> >>'My case will not make it any easier for journalists to publish libellous or >>dishonest material. I believe that journalists and editors must always be >>held to account. But we should be accountable to the courts, not to an ISP >>whose only interest in the article is a commercial one.' >> >> >>Notes to editors: >> >>- Outcast is a queer current affairs magazine run by volunteers. >>Contributors include Peter Tatchell, Ken Livingstone MP, David Borrow MP, >>Paul Burston, Mark Simpson, Chas Newkey-Burden, Emma Butcher and many other >>well-known writers. >> >>- The magazine's website can be found at http://www.outcastmagazine.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now the best and coolest websites come right to you based on your unique interests. eTour.com is surfing without searching. And, it's FREE! http://click.egroups.com/1/3013/2/_/628628/_/955553111/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Community email addresses: Subscribe: or-world-subscribe@onelist.com Unsubscribe: or-world-unsubscribe@onelist.com List owner: or-world-owner@onelist.com URL's: http://www.outrage.org.uk http://www.onelist.com/community/or-world