Re-Hashing the Defamation Bill

national | arts and media | opinion/analysis

Thursday January 10, 2008 10:26

by C Murray

Minister Lenihan Threatens to Re-Introduce Mc Dowell legislation

This is a short opinion and analysis based in an article written in December 2006
regarding the Press laws introduced by the then Minister for Justice, Michael Mc Dowell.
He published a Bill entitled 'The Privacy and Defamation Bill 2006'.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78780

The Bill did not get legislated for in the form introduced and the 'Defamation 'section was 'shelved'.
Last night at the Launch of the Press Council of Ireland, current Justice Minister , Brian Leninhan TD
threatened the re-introduction of the defamation section , which had garnered international criticism.

IMC Logo

The Irish Press Council is self-regulating and funded by the print industry, but FF are annoyed at
some of the stories that have emanated from (usually) our court services, we have also installed
a Press Ombudsman, though there is little info as to the office's independence.

The arguments against Defamation are contained in:-

http://digitalrights.ie/category/defamation
http://mediaforum.ie/?p=52

At the Press Launch of the Press Council there was no information as to whether Mr Lenihan
will amend the criticised legislation which is said to reduce Freedom of press from the State
or just re-introduce the flawed legislation.

Given his ability to distance himself from Mc Dowell's treatment of Prisoners, it can only be
assumed that any attempt at introducing the defamation legislation as it stands would be
subject to Cross-party committee analysis and independent legal advice?

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/80048
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78780

Government relations with press and the Print Industry are oftentimes chilly, the
criticism , for example of the press by the Blair regime was unwonted, with Tony Blair
muttering at the cheapness of the inductry but singling out 'The Independent' alone
for criticism (!).

Other related articles on the newswire include the carney criticism of the Wayne o Donoghue
case, will add in link and the lowering of standards by some of the 'broadsheets' to
tabloid standards.

http://www.ireland.com is covering the drinkies and speeches on their frontpage.