Plans to clamp down on internet libel were announced by ministers yesterday after a long-running battle through the courts led by The Times.
Editors and lawyers have warned that the rise in the number of libel actions brought over articles on the internet has a chilling effect on free speech. The reforms will stop people bringing libel suits many years after an article was first published because it continues to exist online.
Ministers also suggested reforms to stop articles being open to libel action each time they were downloaded from the internet. Those defamed must normally lodge actions within one year, but on the internet each download triggers a new one-year time limit.
Source: Times Online
