Government refuses to disclose legal opinion on press regulation

The government is suppressing official advice over press regulation, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph.It says that the culture and media department (DCMS) is refusing to disclose a paper which "is thought" to set out advice on whether the government-sponsored royal charter breaches European law. Evidently, in the opinion of four QCs, the scheme violates article 10, concerning freedom of expression, of the European convention on human rights (ECHR).Though the DCMS has admitted the paper's existence to the Telegraph it has refused to release it despite a freedom of information (FoI) request.A legal opinion previously commissioned by newspaper publishers stated that the provisions to punish newspapers with "exemplary" damages if they refuse to join a new regulator sanctioned under the royal charter were incompatible with the ECHR.The Sunday Telegraph reports that its FoI request - submitted to the DCMS in October - asked for copies of all documents referring to article 10 of the ECHR in relation to the new charter.After a three-month delay, the DCMS disclosed two documents from the Daily Mail's owner, Associated Newspapers, which raised concerns about possible conflicts with the ECHR.But the department cited an FoI act exemption as the reason for refusing to disclose the third document: "premature disclosure" of the legal advice "might close off better options" for ministers and officials.And the Telegraph quotes a government spokesman as saying: "The government... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #raised concerns #human rights

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France calls for regulation of ebook prices

Written By: Barbara Casassus Publication Date: Tue, 29/03/2011 - 15:29 French culture minister Frédéric Mitterrand has called for the European Union to regulate ebook prices as soon as possible, and to introduce a reduced rate of VAT on all cultural goods and services, whether they are sold... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ebook prices #european union #reduced rate #cultural goods #sold online #mortar outlets


No Exit Press acquires Brother's Lot

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Thu, 24/03/2011 - 15:49 No Exit Press has acquired a "hilarious and satirical novel" by debut author Kevin Holohan, called The Brothers' Lot. Publishing director Ion Mills bought UK and Commonwealth English-language rights, including digital,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #exit press #including digital #akashic books #book tells


French government says publishers should collaborate over ebook negotiations

Written By: Barbara Casassus Publication Date: Tue, 15/03/2011 - 09:23 French culture minister Frédéric Mitterrand has urged French publishers to speak with one voice in forthcoming negotiations with Amazon over supplying their ebooks for the Kindle. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #french government


Government denies library statutory protection is under threat

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Tue, 15/03/2011 - 15:47 The government has denied the legal protection for libraries could be under threat, after fears were expressed upon the launch of a review into local government statutory duties. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nosy Crow signs with US' Candlewick Press

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Fri, 11/03/2011 - 17:38 Children's publisher Nosy Crow has signed a deal with American publisher Candlewick Press to co-publish the majority of its titles in the US and Canada. Nosy Crow will become a new imprint of Candlewick Press, which will... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #candlewick press #nosy crow


More legal challenges launched over library closures

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Tue, 01/03/2011 - 15:52 The Campaign for the Book has launched a legal challenge over the widespread library closures, claiming culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has failed to comply with his duties under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #library closures #legal challenge #museums act


Apple's new subs could fall under regulators

Written By: Philip Jones Publication Date: Tue, 22/02/2011 - 09:10 Apple's new subscription terms could fall under the gaze of regulators in the US and the EU, according to the Wall Street Journal, though the newspaper doubts that much will be achieved unless Apple chooses to give ground in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #subscription terms


Lewisham campaigners press Hunt to intervene on closures

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Mon, 21/02/2011 - 09:00 Lewisham library campaigners have renewed their call for secretary of state Jeremy Hunt to intervene over the borough's library closures. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #library closures


Government may take direct control of libraries

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Mon, 14/02/2011 - 08:39 The government may take direct control of libraries if councils are overzealous in closures. The Sunday Times, quoting Whitehall sources, said the government is concerned some communities, particularly rural ones, may end up... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #direct control #sunday times #library services #library campaigners


Phaidon Press to triple children's output

Written By: Caroline Horn Publication Date: Thu, 10/02/2011 - 16:03 Phaidon Press is aiming to triple its output of children's titles to 30 new children's books by 2012, up from eight in 2010. Phaidon's children's list covers children aged up to 12 years with a focus on pre-school and picture... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #phaidon press #tomi ungerer