1. Free Speech and the Defamation Bill 2012
This essay involves using the law of obligations as a lens to examine an issue that is the subject of public debate. The task draws on work you did in relation to defamation (and privacy). It is highly topical given the scrutiny that the actions of the Press are currently being subjected to, and will require you to examine and balance a number of obligations. You will also need to examine proposed legislation.
The Task
Write an essay discussing the perception that the law of libel and privacy is wrongly restricting the work of the Press, and that the Defamation Bill 2012 is inadequate to deal with the restrictions on Press freedom. Is this perception justified? Does the law of obligations need to be modified to deal with it? Is the Defamation Bill 2012 an appropriate way of dealing with it? Does it go far enough?