Dutch court rules on privacy against international news agency

This case is interesting both for its definition of privacy within the activities covered, the decision to sue news agency rather than the newspapers in Netherlands, the Code of Conduct which Dutch media had signed, and for the implications for other countries, such as France with tighter privacy laws, and the US with almost none.

Geert Wilders wins 17% vote and 4 European seats in election

The anti-Islamic party has big wins, obviously not inconsiderably assisted by the UK Home Secretary's decision to resign - she has since left the British government to retire.

Is Times offset by Jameel?

The recent (March 2009) Times libel case before the ECHR may be offset by the reform of libel law in the Jameel case (2005) before the English Court of Appeal, in which the Chancellor of Essex University Lord Phillips gave judgment.

ECHR fails to prevent permanent liability for UK libel

This decision which effectively removes Internet archives from UK jurisdiction inspired Jack Straw to launch a consultation on Internet libel (partly in response to a Private Eye campaign and US Congressional condemnation of UK Libel law). More academic comment here.

Human rights and the Internet

Excellent overview and analysis of European human rights law and the Internet - and a proposal for a Bill of Rights in the EU - written by Prof. Steve Peers from the law Dept for the European Parliament.

Home Secretary's letter to Gert Wilders

I can't find an official source, but this is a scan of the letter. Wilders attempts to enter the Uk to present himself at the House of Lords this afternoon.

Most famous freedom of expression speech in British Parliament

This was delivered by the Earl of Chatham ('Pitt the Elder') in 1768, and it was on this basis as much as anything that the United States created its 1st Amendment to the Constitution. 

The irony that a visiting MP is banned from debating on freedom of expression in the House of Lords 241 years later is obvious...