The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has dropped its demand for defamation against science writer Simon Singh. The move comes just weeks after an appeals court ruled that Singh's article about chiropractic, which included a disputed use of the word "wrong" was the comment, not a statement of fact.
defamation case of Singh and several other scientists about, sparked outrage among researchers and calls for reform of the libel laws of England. In a statement issued today, Singh addressed some issues related to the research, saying
English libel law is so intimidating, so expensive, so hostile to serious journalists that has a deterrent effect on all areas of debate, silence scientists, journalists, bloggers, activists of human rights and everyone who dares to address issues of serious public interest. In the field of medicine alone, fear of libel means that good research is not always published because those interests could continue, and bad research that should be removed is not fired because the authors could continue magazine, and in both cases it is the public that loses because the truth is never exposed. ...
It is important to remember that another defamation case involving continuous Medicine - Dr. Peter Wilmshurst is a consultant cardiologist who is sued for defamation raise serious concerns about the data for a new heart device. If Dr. Wilmshurst loses his case, then it will be bankrupt. It is ridiculous that a researcher like Dr. Wilmshurst respected, someone who has dedicated his life to medicine, should be put under such pressure just to speak his mind. Our defamation laws discourage physicians, scientists and journalists to speak. It is only when Peter hopefully defended his libel suit that I will be able to celebrate.
Tracey Brown, managing director of Sense About Science, a British group that supported Singh and called for reform of defamation, the statement also released, noting:
It is ridiculous that writing on an important subject as the health of children of someone being dragged before the courts for years and at such cost.
However the case of Simon shone a light into the dark corner of legal threats used to silence academics, scientists, bloggers, writers and scientists unable to sacrifice two years and £ 0,000 to defend their words. The case of a public interest legal defense is indeed done.
Sing and BCA has yet to resolve whether BCA will pay the legal fees of the writer, estimated at more than £ 0,000.
0 Komentar