Libel and the Media: The Chilling Effect

The impact of libel law on the freedom of the press is a subject which interests not only practising media lawyers, law students, and journalists, but also members of the general public who are keen to learn about any perceived threat to the freedom of the press. This book presents all those people with an accessible and jargon-free look at the impact of libel law on the media. It is based on research conducted by Professor Barendt and his collaborators which involved interviewing the editors of national newspapers, journalists, and their lawyers to discover the extent to which libel laws chill press freedom. The authors, a distinguished group of highly respected academics, examine the present state of libel law (including the Neill reforms and the law in Scotland), and go on to explore the impact of libel law on national and regional newspapers, broadcasters, and book and periodical publishers. The result is a lively study which will appeal to journalists, lawyers, and informed members of the general public alike.

1. The present state of libel law ; 2. Outline of research methods ; 3. & 4. National newspapers ; 5. Regional newspapers ; 6. Broadcasters ; 7. Book publishers ; 8. Periodical publishers ; 9. The position in Scotland ; 10. Summary of research findings