I can see blue sky out the window and it’s a bank holiday so really I should have better things to be doing than writing a blog, but there you go. First off a slight update it seems that a rare bout of good sense briefly inflicted the EU and all three committees rejected ACTA, though that doesn’t actually kill it out right. Of course the European Parliament may decide to go ahead with it in June anyway, after all we’ve already ratified it. Which does make me wonder how many other regulations our politicians blame on the EU we could avoid or at least delay (or failing that implement in a minimal fashion without gold plating).
Anyway that was I’m afraid the good news, not much but I’ll take what I can get. Sadly now to the two steps back Fausty brings us news that the Dfamation bill currently going through Parliament (so time to get writing again) will abolish the two common law defences of “justification” and “fair comment”, oh and no juries either. Now I can see how they can abolish parts of the 1952 act, but abolish common law – that’s a whole different ball game. I would also suggest that the loss of these two defences will have a massively chilling effect on investigative journalism and bloggers – especially those trying to hold the great and good to account. Just consider for a moment how things might have gone in Olly Cromwells recent problems if they could have done him for defamation because calling a Bexley councillor a cunt wasn’t defensible as fair comment?
So as I say time to get writing yet again, meantime as it’s such a nice day here’s a musical interlude.
