Global village libel laws

I happened to be watching one of my favourite telly stations, Al Jazeera today when i came across a discussion on libel laws. Indeed this discussion captivated my attention because,it is a subject that will remain prevalent as long as i am a journo.

The presenter of the show gave an analogy of a recent libel case in London.Apparently an arab television station was recently sued in a British court by a Turkish firm.How on earth can a london court hear proceedings for a libel case involving a foreign defendant and foreign claimant.

Almost everyone is coming to London to sue foreign publications.The crux of the matter is that it is hugely expensive to defend libel cases ,therefore defendants are somehow forced to opt for ,out of court settlement.

Now publications like ,The New york times are planning to stop circulation of their publications in London.Even blocking access to their sites to London consumers as a precaution on libel cases.

Below is an article from the Guardian Newspaper.


Foreign media count cost of UK libel lawsBuzz up!
Digg it

Karen McVeigh The Guardian, Monday 9 November 2009 Article history

Britain's reputation for "libel tourism" is driving American and foreign publishers to consider abandoning the sale of newspaper and magazines in Britain and may lead to them blocking access to websites, MPs have been warned.

Publishers, human rights groups and campaigners have expressed "substantial and increasing concern" because comments that would be protected under the freedom of speech in the US constitution are actionable in London courts once published here, no matter how small the readership.

A memorandum submitted to a Commons select committee, ahead of a meeting with US publishers, states: "Leading US newspapers are actively considering abandoning the supply of the 200-odd copies they make available for sale in London – mainly to Americans who want full details of their local news and sport. They do not make profits out of these minimal and casual sales and they can no longer risk losing millions of dollars in a libel action which they would never face under US law. Does the UK really want to be seen as the only country in Europe – indeed in the world – where important US papers cannot be obtained in print form?"

The submission, on behalf of a number of US media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times and MacMillan (US), as well as Human Rights Watch, Global Witness US and Greenpeace International, added: "The consequences of making media organisations liable for putting articles – perfectly lawful by the law of their own domicile – on websites which are occasionally accessed in England should be obvious. The cost of fighting libel actions may lead internet publishers to build 'fire walls' against access from the UK, in order to avoid such actions."

Living the dream

The privileges that come with the profession of journalism are just beyond imagination.I didn't choose the profession for the glamour but for the desire to disseminate news to those who care to watch,listen and read.And without bragging, i am living my dream.

Last Saturday, i went to film an FA trophy tie between Eastleigh FC and Lewes at the Silverlake stadium.The stewards and officials from the host team were more than co-operative to my film crew.There was a degree of respect and honour.After the match, the officials also organised, some interviews with the team managers for the two teams.

Life in mainstream journalism has just begun and being a video journalist is not as easy as one might assume.There are technical nightmares associated with it.Thank goodness,i did a sound check before interviewing the managers.Soon after the match,i connected the radio mic and noted that there was some distortion and a lot of reverb.After trying a few tricks,i resigned to the idea of fixing it and opted for the gun mic.

Editing on final cut pro was quite easy because,i had my story board written before hand.General views and cut aways are essential in any bulletin package and i used them quite effectively.

I am also impressed by the teamwork within the news room.In particular, the production department has been awesome.Keep it up guys!!!!!

caught in the mix

Meeting Terry Paine

Over the years,i watched Terry Paine on the supersport sports channel in South Africa and never thought i would one day meet the former Southampton and England goal poacher.

The man who played a record number of games for the saints visited Winchester University last Thursday,for a book signing conference.I had the exclusive rights to film the proceedings and i must say,my confidence in vjing is reaching its threshold.When Terry walked in with his entourage,i immediately identified myself as a proponent of Johannesburg.He looked bemused because,it was beyond his imagination that someone from Johannesburg would find comfort in Winchester;such is the power of globalisation.

Even though the conference was poorly attended,the few that made it enjoyed more attention from the legend.The man is so humble and down to earth considering
the fact that he is a world cup winner,an MBE and a presenter for supersport.

For the sake of Winchester news online,Terry invited me to attend his graduation ceremony on Friday at the Guild hall in Southampton.Solent university gave him an honourary accolade - Dr of Sports, for all the work he has done through out his career.

Terry hasn't lost allegiance to his country of birth,England but admires Johannesburg more and has no intention of rekindling with English weather anytime soon.

For the edited version of Terry's visit please visit winchester news online website.

Tour of duty for Winol

Last week,i had the ultimate privilege of representing Winchester news online, at the Planet ice shield arena in Basingstoke.This was my first ice hockey game as a video journalist and the prospects of a rude awakening were looming.I duly consulted two video production boffins for advice.They both suggested that i needed to use two video cameras,one from a wide angle and the other one from a close up angle.It seemed a daunting task for one VJ to execute two roles simultaneously.In good faith, i asked two of my VJ associates at Winchester to help with the logistical duties, but unfortunately they all relented for one reason or the other.

In the long run,i decided to use only one camera from a wide angle.Ice hockey is not a game of the faint heart;it's fast,furious and is suited for adrenalin junkies.Basingstoke Bisons were hosting Peterborough Phantoms in the planet ice trophy.Ice hockey is considered the fastest sport in the world and i have every reason to believe so,after witnessing one of the most difficult sports to film alone.

But thank goodness,the end product made winchester news online dummy broadcast last wednesday.Of course,i acknowledge the effort by my sports editor Mark Lovell,who worked tirelessly to finetune the editing hick-ups that befell me on final cut pro.

The experience was great and would advise any vj to take note of the following when filming ice hockey.
-If you are using one camera,make sure you shoot from a wide angle
-Sometimes ignore the action and leave the camera focused on the goalminder
-zoom in when ever necessary but it's not advisable
-shoot the action on manual than auto
-sometimes leave the player with the ball and focus on the crowd
-make sure you get enough cut aways
-film the scoreboard every time a goal is scored
-create a storyboard on how you want to narrate your story,it makes life easy when editing.

Who is considered British?

As a foreigner and of ethnic minority in the United Kingdom,i have been following politics and international relations with intend.When Nick Griffin, appeared on the BBC question time show to mitigate reasons for hating Islam as an ideology,Gay and lesbian dispensation,and immigration flaws,i kept vigil for a reason.After the proverbial show,i researched on what Griffin calls Britishness and noted that Britishness is quite fluid.

The concept of Britishness is much contested.In physical, political terms, ‘Britishness’ relates to the borders of living within the archipelago islands of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in so far as you live in Britain. Yet when people talk about ‘being British’ what do they mean? Are there physical attributes ascribed to being British? Are there characteristics particular to the British, or is it based on history, language and culture?
Are these attributes fixed, or have they, and do they change over time?

The formation of ‘Great Britain’ was established in the Act of Union of 1770 bringing together Scotland with Wales and England and later to include Ireland. The standardizing of the English language had begun in the early fifteenth century, with the aid of the printing press and religion, forging together all regions, aiding communication.

With the formation of the archipelagos, Great Britain, under the rule of a monarchy, established a strong standing and naval army that laid claim to much of the world. The Empire provided mutually beneficial gains for all territories of Britain, and allowed a sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ to be fostered, helping create a British identity, ‘For many British people over a very long period possession of an empire has been an essential part of their sense of Britishness.To be ‘British’ during these times meant to be a citizen of a strong, powerful country, superior to the areas it dominated.

Although participation came from all regions, England, who housed both parliament and the monarchy, was more dominant, and traditional Britishness was, ‘more closely aligned with Englishness’. Although it took years, Britishness was established by a strong monarchy, increased communication and travel that enhanced ‘differences’ and superiority of Britishness.

Since the breakup of the British Empire, two catastrophic world wars and new technologies, Britishness is in crisis because there is a dilemma of identity. No longer do the empire and the sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ prevail and the monarchy no longer holds power to dictate and unify the country through religion due to secularization.

Nationalism in the regions of Britain has also become more pronounced, with the Republic of Ireland declaring independence in 1921 and the devolution of power to the Welsh and Scottish assemblies.

Immigration has increased dramatically since World War 2, the independence of colonial countries and the unification of the European Union.A person can be both Scottish and British.No person needs to claim to just one identity, they can change through time and circumstance.

Britishness is at its best in sport behind Team GB in the Olympics, and Andy Murray in the Wimbledon tournament. The same can be attributed to television; ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ saw a diverse and mix of people claiming their allegiance to being ‘British’ .
Therefore the country is increasingly changing, Britishness has encompassed the diversity of its inhabitants.

So where does Mr Griffin and his accomplices stand with Britishness?