Libel and other Defamations – In-company training

Libel is a serious business for anyone who publishes content. Libel not only costs money, it distracts content creators from their jobs, and has a chilling effect on what is written and published.

Libel covers all media, including social media. Content publishers need to know the vital differences in libel laws across the UK. And if your content is used internationally you need to know the crucial differences between libel in different countries.

Take this course and protect yourself from media law breaches. It outlines the reality of the libel, slander and malicious falsehood laws in the British Isles as a result of the 2013 Defamation Act; and develops an attitude of legal awareness for the content of articles, publication, digital content and social media. It will give you a thorough grounding in defamation in order to defend your professional position and defend the rights of your company.

One or half day in-company training course (dependent on needs) covering:

  • The position of libel in law
  • How libel law is structured
  • How it effects publications
  • What about websites and social media?
  • England and Wales v Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - similarities and differences
  • What is defamation?
  • The role of case law
  • Where digital and social media fits in
  • The Claimant and what they need to prove
  • Litigious situations, characters and organisations – what we can and cannot say
  • Defences: what they are, what they mean, how we can use them
  • Processes and case studies
  • International comparisons: USA, France and Germany
  • Libel case study under new and old law

Actions and follow-up

This course provides you with the knowledge that you can apply immediately to your own content. We send you away with a list of “To dos” to focus on after your training, so you can put into practice what you have learned; and we follow-up with you afterwards to see how you are getting on. We are always available if you have any queries at all, so you just need to let us know.

The course was delivered by a journalist as opposed to a lawyer. All other courses I've had have been from legal professionals, so hearing practicalities was great.

News and social media writer, Caspian Media