Making speech expensive

Franco Frattini, the European justice commissioner, is seeking changes to European law that would mean journalists accused of libel or defamation would be dealt with according to laws applicable in the complainant’s country, even if that country was not a member of the European Union.

On Wednesday, European justice ministers were unable to agree on the new regulations, which cover cross-border disputes in cases of media libel and the defamation of private citizens, public figures or religious icons in the press.

The EUobserver reports:

Media organisations, NGOs and politicians warned of damage to the principle of freedom of speech, arguing that a Swedish newspaper, for instance, could be sentenced according to Syrian or Pakistani law following a law suit on defamation from a citizen in either of these countries.

That seems to be precisely what Frattini intended, at least if his previous statements are anything to go by. He has already said he will not let the issue lie and is planning to put a revised version of the regulations before justice ministers in the near future.

I don’t know what’s more worrying: the European Commission’s continuing attempts to limit free speech or the fact that so few people seem to be paying attention.