Do you know your way around the new libel laws? Find out more at our meeting on November 4. To book your place, RSVP via the comments section below.
The Defamation Act 2013 received Royal Assent on April 25, 2013 and came into force on January 1, 2014 in England and Wales. The new law offers better protection to people expressing their opinions, and to scientists and academics publishing peer-reviewed material in journals.
What? A meeting on the new libel laws for England and Wales, followed by a buffet supper.
Where? Medical Society of London, 11 Chandos Street, London W1G 9EB
When? Tuesday, November 4, 6.30 for 7pm.
The Defamation Act 2013 received Royal Assent on April 25, 2013 and came into force on January 1, 2014 in England and Wales. The new law offers better protection to people expressing their opinions, and to scientists and academics publishing peer-reviewed material in journals.
The speaker:
Siobhain Butterworth was readers’ editor of the Guardian for almost three years, and before that the newspaper’s legal director. She is now general counsel for the BMJ. Her session will cover what the new laws mean for medical journalists and writers, reporting of medical conferences, comment columns and covering issues in the public interest.
The background:
These new laws follow a long campaign to reform our widely criticised libel laws and actions brought against science writer and author Simon Singh and whistleblower Dr Peter Wilmshurst.
The British Chiropractic Association sued Singh for an article in the Guardian in 2008 headlined Beware the Spinal Trap, in which he argued the BCA, ‘happily promotes bogus treatments’. Click here to read more.
Whistleblower Peter Wilmshurst faced a legal action from American company NMT after he refused to be listed as an author on a paper published in the journal Circulation because he believed it was misleading. Click here to read more.
And for more background on the libel law changes, click here. The meeting is free for MJA members, guests are welcome but there is a charge of £15 per guest.
If you are an MJA member and would like to attend, please rsvp via comments below.
If you are not an MJA member and would like to attend, please email
Lynn Eaton, rsvp’d via email