Opposition MP Colm Imbert is urging the Government to take a large backward step by seeking the retention of the offence of criminal libel. He argued in Parliament last week that this was "the only protection" available to public figures, but this is far from being the case–as demonstrated by the ease with which public figures fire off pre-action protocol letters whenever they feel they have been defamed by the media.In addition to defamation law, the electronic media are also regulated by the Telecommunication Authority and media houses subscribe to the rulings of the Media Complaints Council.
As an MP Mr Imbert is able to take full advantage of the complete freedom of speech available to members as part of parliamentary privilege. The media do not enjoy such licence, but are governed by laws which are unreasonably and unnecessarily harsh and archaic.Furthermore, Mr Imbert is seeking to lock a stable door when the horse is long gone: while these laws can be used to muzzle the traditional media, they are useless against new media, which can transmit totally unfounded allegations around the world if they so wish, at the click of a mouse, without fear of reprisal, and without any of the safeguards built in to conventional media houses.
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