Libel and the Media

This is an accessible and jargon-free book about the impact of libel law on the media.The book 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 libel laws 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 and periodical publishers. The result is a lively study which will appeal not only to journalists and lawyers, but also to all those with an interest in the freedom of the press and media studies generally.