Journalism.co.uk: Ukrainian news site vows to block UK traffic until libel reform is passed

Published Jan. 7, 2011 at 7:45 pm

Speaking to Journalism.co.uk, Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner said he was encouraged by the deputy prime minister Nick Clegg's comments today in a speech outlining the details of a draft defamation bill due in Spring. But he said that the Post was unlikely to re-allow entry to the site for UK traffic until the laws are changed.

Editor's Note:On Dec. 14, in response to a libel lawsuit filed against the Kyiv Post in London, the newspaper blocked United Kingdom users from accessing its website because British courts have taken a wide interpretation of jurisdiction in these matters. The libel law there is draconian in its restrictions on free speech and a movement is under way to change the libel law. More information can be found from The Libel Reform Campaign. RosUkrEnergo co-owner Dmytro Firtash filed the lawsuit in response to a July 2 Kyiv Post article "Gas trade leaves trail of lawsuits, corruption."

The chief editor of a Ukrainian English-language newspaper said today that the site will not remove a block on UK traffic until UK libel laws are reformed. Read the story here.