Cases

Reynolds v. Times Newspapers Limited and Others

October 28, 1999

The House of Lords has dismissed the appeal of Times Newspapers in the Reynolds case.  The case is very important in establishing the basis on which qualified privilege can apply to publication of defamatory material to the public at large.  Considerable latitude is given to development of the privilege, and, despite the result, considerable support is offered to both investigative journalism and news in matters of public concern.  Reversing the onus to the plaintiff, as in New York Times v. Sullivan in the United States, is, however, rejected as an approach.

See Reynolds v. Times Newspapers Limited and Others