Nesbitt Launches Consultation On The Defamation Law NI

Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has officially launched his consultation on the Defamation Law in Northern Ireland.

The proposal to bring Northern Ireland into line with England and Wales is supported by UK-wide groups including Index on Censorship, Sense about Science and English PEN, as well as the three Northern Ireland regional newspapers, the Belfast Telegraph, News Letter and Irish News.

Keynote speaker, Lord Black of Brentwood, an executive director of the Telegraph Newspaper Group, described the current law as enforced in Northern Ireland as "out of date, complex and repressive".

Lord Black identified risks to the Northern Ireland economy, the region's two universities, and press freedom as among the key areas that will lose out if the Defamation Act is not introduced here.

"The companies at the cutting edge of the digital revolution – Google, Yahoo!, Facebook, AOL and Twitter – will not invest in a location where the law of defamation is fifty years or more out of date.

"If Northern Ireland wants to maintain a vital and vibrant University culture, with a solid international reputation, then the law has to change."

Lord Black detailed how academics and scientists would shy away from Northern Ireland if the law did not allow them to express controversial and difficult opinions.

On press freedom, Lord Black highlighted the lack of scrutiny of the Northern Ireland Executive, given the lack of an official Opposition, or a second, scrutinising Chamber at Stormont.

"I believe there could be a grave impact on the quality of democracy and government here in Northern Ireland if there is no change of heart. The existing libel laws which the Executive wants to maintain have a profound chilling impact on journalism and particularly investigative journalism because the dice are stacked in favour of wealthy or powerful claimants and their lawyers."

Mr Nesbitt outlined the nature of his consultation which will run until Thursday 28 November 2013.

"My policy objectives include making it easier and less expensive to take legal action, making it harder for the rich and influential to chill free speech, protecting scientists and academics who need freedom to engage in robust debate, promoting responsible investigative journalism, and taking into account the impact of the Internet.

"Consultation questions address areas that require reform, including clear lines of responsibility for operators of websites who publish statements from members of the public, the defence of truth and whether trial by jury is always the best way to hear defamation cases."

(CD/JP)