Readers will probably have sensed that I did not set up this blog as a vehicle or a forum for controversy; it’s designed to be interesting (and, I hope, fun). It’s not that I don’t have strong opinions on many topics (ask my wife) but if I need to express them or grind axes, I’ll find other ways of doing so. However, once in a while, something comes up that can’t be ignored and that deserves as much attention and broadcasting as possible. As someone who modestly attempts to translate science for interested non-specialists, I have a lot of respect for the skills and energy of many professional science writers, among them Simon Singh. But Singh is currently being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association, with whom the law has so far sided. This case, and the bizarre way in which British libel laws purport to work, have been taken up in a campaign by Sense About Science, an independent charitable trust established in the interests of “Promoting good science and evidence for the public.” And quite rightly so - as the campaign states, “This is an issue that affects anyone who cares about science, journalism and free speech.”
Having added my name to the list of now over 10,000 signatories of the Sense About Science statement, I shall simply copy below the update e-mail I received from them today. This may be, in the first instance, an issue about my country’s idiotic libel laws, but it would seem that anyone is liable to being sued in British courts, and in today’s world the implications are broader and indeed potentially impact “anyone who cares about science, journalism and free speech.” For further background on the case, see this and other pieces in The Guardian (where the initial offense was committed), Singh’s website and his recent statement; there are numerous other blogosphere posts, including one by Pharyngula. Read on and have a think:
Dear Friends
In a strangely quiet ten minutes, I’m glad finally to find time to send this quick update on Keep Libel Laws out of Science to all who have signed the statement to support Simon Singh and seek a review of the libel laws.
Today, thanks to all your efforts, we are sending that statement again to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, but now with 10,000 signatures! And still they are pouring in. We’ve also had great comments, examples of similar cases, offers of help, and urgently needed donations for the campaign. Please keep them coming. We’re working through offers of help and ideas as quickly as we can.
Signatories are going up more quickly, thanks to Andy Lewis’ speedy rescue with an automated system and the patient volunteers who have worked long days to help. You can view signatories via a link from the main page on www.senseaboutscience.org/freedebate and lots of other related material. If you twitter, you can follow short updates at twitter.com/freedebate.
Simon’s case and the chilling effects of libel threats have been covered by The Guardian, The Times, Daily Mail, The Independent, Nature, BMJ, The Economist, Times Higher Education, Sunday Times, FT, Wall Street Journal, Private Eye, The Observer, Channel 4, BBC, among others. Links to these and some of the many blogs about the case are on the website. Do tell me if you see more, especially outside the UK. The statement has been translated into French (thanks to Jean-Paul Krivine) and we know of coverage in Sweden, Germany, Spain, India and America, but there may be things we’ve missed. Also, if you write for any publication, can you write about the campaign and the issues raised by Simon Singh’s case?
You can now buy Keep the Libel Laws out of Science T-shirts, mugs, bags, badges and caps online from Spreadshirt. The lovely logo is thanks to Hamish Symington, and thanks also to everyone else who offered design ideas. If you send us photos of you wearing them outside the Royal Courts of Justice, or similarly relevant venue, we’ll put them up!
Keep Libel Laws out of Science got in its Mini and went to the Cheltenham Science Festival. The organisers were really supportive (thank you) and let me roam. It was wonderful to hear all the support for Simon and the campaign, but very difficult to stop the speakers from stealing all my badges! A few pictures are on the website. Dara O’Briain, Robin Ince and Ben Goldacre took part in an event alongside Simon and all stressed the importance of freedom of speech.
Great to see the logo link to the campaign on many websites but there must be hundreds more that should be carrying it. Please cajole and harangue those you use.
On the issue of chiropractic claims, some of you will have seen the cumulative effect of interest in the case on the blogosphere over this past weekend; hundreds of chiropractic websites were taken down following questions by bloggers and urgent instructions from chiropractic organisations to avoid breaking the rules on medical claims for chiropractic. http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/06/chiropractors-told-to-take-down-their.html A few other links are on our website; there seems to be a lot happening so do send us links to anything you think relevant.
A note from Simon Singh: “I’ve met so many passionate, supportive people at talks I’ve given, most recently Skeptics in the Pub in Oxford and Cheltenham. The responses, with all the blogs and comments too, suggest this is a campaign gathering the momentum necessary to reform the libel laws. Please continue your support in any way you can, and tell others about it.”
Campaign next steps are commitments and publicity from organizations and publications, finding funds to keep the campaign going (ideas please?) and meetings to discuss a parliamentary timetable and commitments; Simon is out speaking to lots of people; and please ask everyone you know who cares about scientific debate and free speech to sign (we need a printed banner for the events we are going to – can anyone provide or help with the cost?).
I hope to write a less hurried update soon, and let you know more about likely milestones in the court case and in seeking parliamentary review and legal reform, but meantime do check the website (yes, we’d like to sort out RSS feeds - help please?)
Comments
No comments yet.