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Keep the Libel Laws out of Science campaign
So it seems that Simon Singh will fight on against the British Chiropractic Association by appealing (for a brief background on the case please see my previous post: ‘For Simon Singh and free speech! (or else “bogus, bogus, bogus”)‘ where you will also find links to blogs that cover this story in much more detail)! This is only good news and I hope that he will be successful in his efforts.
A large number of (rational) people stand behind Simon at this point, and “Sense About Science“, an organization that helps promote science and evidence, kicks off a campaign to stop the ridiculousness that is the libel law in England, and especially when it steps on our freedom of speech. As I have said before, when a science writer is sued for criticizing a health organization, things are crazy indeed…
I copy below Simon’s brief statement on his libel case and the start of the campaign (taken from the campaign website).
So, please support this campaign, sign the statement, and help propagate the news: http://www.senseaboutscience.org/freedebate
A large number of (rational) people stand behind Simon at this point, and “Sense About Science“, an organization that helps promote science and evidence, kicks off a campaign to stop the ridiculousness that is the libel law in England, and especially when it steps on our freedom of speech. As I have said before, when a science writer is sued for criticizing a health organization, things are crazy indeed…
I copy below Simon’s brief statement on his libel case and the start of the campaign (taken from the campaign website).
It has been a stressful and frustrating twelve months since I published my article on chiropractors and their attempts to treat children with conditions such as asthma. The British Chiropractic Association’s decision to sue me for libel has been an enormous drain on my time and energy. However, the support that I have received from family, friends, readers, bloggers, scientists, journalists and those who care about free speech has been incredible, and it has played a crucial role in my decision to continue defending my article and fighting the libel action.No need to think twice; this is a no-brainer really. Let’s see how it progresses. From our part all we can do is support “Sense About Science” and Simon Singh any way we can.
More importantly, everyone agrees that there is something fundamentally wrong with the English libel laws, which have a chilling effect on journalists, whether they write about science or anything else, whether they live in Britain or anywhere else. Hence, I am delighted that so many individuals and organisations have come together to launch a campaign with Sense About Science to highlight how the English libel laws clash with the right to discuss science in a frank and fair way. The Keep Libel Laws out of Science Campaign will also raise issues related to my particular libel case, and it will encourage a debate on the reform of the English libel system.
The campaign launch revolves around the statement shown below, and I would urge anyone who cares about science or free speech to show support by signing up.
And I would also encourage you to make your friends and colleagues aware of the issues at stake and ask them to sign up. It is possible that the time is right for major libel reform in England, which will then allow scientists and journalists to write with less fear of being intimidated.
So, please support this campaign, sign the statement, and help propagate the news: http://www.senseaboutscience.org/freedebate
1. Chris Wright
Many will be making comments about the case and will do so better than i can. All i can add is to say that i have written this letter to a number of local chiropractors..it may help! Feel free to use it if you so wish:
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you, as I believe you both practice locally and are a member of the BCA.
As you are probably aware, your Association has recently sued Simon Singh. He is a respected science journalist who was awarded an MBE in 2003 for his services to Science, Technology and Engineering in Education and Science Communication.
He used the word “bogus” in describing Chiropractic and your organisation, instead of reasonably, intelligently and maturely debating the issue, used its institutional financial muscle to try to silence a doubter. This is rank bullying of the worst kind.
I suspect, and hope, that you have the decency to at least feel uncomfortable about your Association’s behaviour.
You may also recognise how this behaviour is reflecting very badly on the public’s perception of Chiropractors and will certainly backfire on your profession in the long run.
Can I urge you to call on your Association to drop this case and defend itself with truth and reason and to behave in a decent manner for the good of us all.
Yours sincerely,
etc etc
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you, as I believe you both practice locally and are a member of the BCA.
As you are probably aware, your Association has recently sued Simon Singh. He is a respected science journalist who was awarded an MBE in 2003 for his services to Science, Technology and Engineering in Education and Science Communication.
He used the word “bogus” in describing Chiropractic and your organisation, instead of reasonably, intelligently and maturely debating the issue, used its institutional financial muscle to try to silence a doubter. This is rank bullying of the worst kind.
I suspect, and hope, that you have the decency to at least feel uncomfortable about your Association’s behaviour.
You may also recognise how this behaviour is reflecting very badly on the public’s perception of Chiropractors and will certainly backfire on your profession in the long run.
Can I urge you to call on your Association to drop this case and defend itself with truth and reason and to behave in a decent manner for the good of us all.
Yours sincerely,
etc etc
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