I’ve written about the horrible state of libel laws in the UK before, but there are a couple of new developments:
1) Simon Singh wrote about the issue for the JREF’s Swift blog. He asks people to sign the online petition for reform, and it helps even if you’re not a UK citizen. In general I don’t support online petitions, but in this case it will have a real and important impact; they can present it personally to people who make the laws and show them this is an important issue. I signed. You should too.
2) Simon’s libel case goes before the Court of Appeal in London on Tuesday, February 23 (today for most folks reading this). No doubt the major media will be covering it, as it’s a big story. I’ll try to post something here if and when I hear anything.
You can find out more at the Libel Reform website, including how (if you’re local) you can go downtown to show support for Simon on Tuesday morning at 09:45 (here’s the location).
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Hear, hear.
-r.c.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Signed!
Met Singh once and really liked him as a person and as a scientist. Really hope he gets out of this.
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Signed.
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:53 am
The story got quite a bit of attention on BBC Radio 4 last week Phil.
I was glad to hear it. The ground swell of support needed to change things is beginning I think.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:00 am
Signed!
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:29 am
Signed.
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:23 am
Signed. What a dumb law.
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:50 am
Bad Astronomy…
JREF | I’ve written about the horrible state of libel laws in the UK before, but there are a couple of new developments: 1) Simon Singh wrote about the issue for the J…
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:25 am
Does anyone know when the decision is expected?
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:10 am
Seconding #9: where’s the best place to keep watch for news? Any idea when there will be any?
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:11 am
OT, but well worth the diversion. ArXiv recently posted a paper entitled “Sub-arcsecond Morphology of Planetary Nebulae” and they aren’t kidding, with many obscure PNe like HaTr 10 in magnificent color! Copy and paste to (http:) //arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/1002/1002.3249v1.pdf. Prepare to be blown away.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:26 am
Signed.
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Signed, and forwarded the petition email (I’m on the mailing list) to some friends–something I haven’t done before so they know I feel strongly about this issue, and I’m hoping they’ll sign as well.