FSN to Host ‘Leveson’s Illiberal Legacy’ Report Launch Event

The Free Speech Network is to host an event launching a new report exposing the damage to civil liberties and press freedom caused by “the Leveson regime” and how it breaches international standards of free speech.

The event in London on Thursday will see the launch of the ‘Leveson’s Illiberal Legacy’ report written by libel reform campaigners Helen Anthony and Mike Harris who will speak at the event. Speakers will also include Lord Black of Brentwood and Professor Tim Luckhurst.

The FSN comprises UK, European and global newspaper, magazine, print and online publishers, editors and other groups who share concerns over protecting freedom of expression against any threats to introduce a statutory backstop to press regulation.

The FSN believes that a vibrant free press and internet is essential to any democracy.

The report comes in the weeks before new provisions in the Crime and Courts Act 2015 come into force, under which newspaper publishers who refuse to join a regulator approved by the Press Recognition Panel could face paying exemplary and aggravated damages in libel and privacy actions – even if the story is true and in the public interest.