Libel Reform Campaign – Free Speech Is Not For Sale
A representative case: Suppression of science
Claimant: British Chiropractic Association (BCA), UK
Respondent: Simon Singh, journalist and author, UK
Simon Singh, the best-selling author of Fermat’s Last Theorem and The Code Book, published an article in the Guardian in April 2008 in which he discussed chiropractic treatment with reference to the British Chiropractic Association.
In a passage describing the BCA’s claims about the treatment of a number of childhood ailments, Singh wrote that ‘even though there is not a jot of evidence’ the BCA ‘happily promotes bogus treatments’.
Despite the article being published in the Guardian, Singh was sued personally.
Mr Justice Eady decided on the issue of meaning in May 2009, and found that Singh’s comments were statements of fact, rather than expressions of opinion, which implied that the BCA was being deliberately dishonest. It was a meaning that Singh has said he never intended. Eady refused to grant leave to appeal, although permission was granted by the Court of Appeal itself in October 2009.
Mr Justice Eady decided on the issue of meaning in May 2009, and found that Singh’s comments were statements of fact, rather than expressions of opinion, which implied that the BCA was being deliberately dishonest. It was a meaning that Singh has said he never intended. Eady refused to grant leave to appeal, although permission was granted by the Court of Appeal itself in October 2009.
As a result of this case, the charity Sense About Science launched a petition for libel reform. Richard Dawkins has said that if Singh loses, it would have ‘major implications on the freedom of scientists, researchers and other commentators to engage in robust criticism of scientific, and pseudoscientific, work’.
See Telegraph
Simon Singh: it is too late for me, but libel laws must change for the public good
Pundit’s Plea: Please sign the petition, accessible via the link at the top of the post.
