“How are a few extraordinarily wealthy individuals from the most senior ranks of the world’s most brutally repressive societies succeeding in muzzling free speech on major international issues? The unlikely answer is, simply, by ‘visiting’ London”, writes Christopher Walker at the International Herald Tribune.
“An increasing number of well-heeled litigants – libel tourists – are using England’s plaintiff-friendly libel laws to silence critics. Unlike American law, which sets a high bar for libel lawsuits, English common law puts the burden of proof on the defendant, who can be hit with enormous damages and legal costs,” Walker reports.
Also see Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press at this link, for a summary of the bill re-introduced in the House.