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 thosepeople 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 libellaws 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 andperiodical publishers. The result is a lively study which will appeal to journalists, lawyers, and informed members of the general public alike.

Eric Barendt is Goodman Professor of Media Law at University College London.

Laurence Lustgarten is Professor of law at the University of Southampton.

Kenneth Norrie is Professor of Scots Law at teh University of Strathclyde.

Hugh Stephenson is Professor of Journalism at City University