Archives for Freedom of Expression

My kids had a lemonade stand a couple of weeks ago. They made a little money–enough to clear a profit and pad their piggybanks a little. Neighbors and passers-by stopped to chat and have a cup of lemonade and a freshly baked gingersnap. It was a pleasant scene–who doesn’t love lemonade on a hot day,… Continue reading »

Details and some congressional crowing here. (Note to Rep. Cohen’s office: Proofread the website headlines a little more closely.) Publishers and authors cheer. I did a long analysis for the Chronicle back in June on the subject of libel tourism, and it’s good to see some legislative attention being paid to the issue. Now, back… Continue reading »

I’ve done a news analysis on the subject for the Chronicle. Some takeaways: Yes, Britain is as wacky about libel law as you’ve heard. No, the rest of the world does not agree that the First Amendment is the Best Thing Ever. And the unlikely heroes of the story? Librarians.

Threatened with a libel lawsuit over a review in Art Journal, its flagship publication, the College Art Association decided to settle rather than duke it out in British court. Libel law in the U.K. notoriously favors plaintiffs. Hence so-called libel tourism, in which plaintiffs file suit in Britain or other countries where, sans a First… Continue reading »