I have two distinct issues for your consideration this week. The first is to suggest support for a five mile fun run - possibly a walk or even a crawl for some - at Gibside on Sunday 25th April.
It's for a good cause - to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign with which I chair the all-party parliamentary group. All the relevant forms can be found at www.gibsidefunrun.co.uk or from my office.
I shall be firing the starting pistol or waving the flag and I very much hope that you can join the run or walk - buggies welcome. Hopefully the weather will be better then.
My second issue is about freedom of expression. I know from my postbag that a lot of local folk worry about this.
We need a press that is not needlessly muzzled but also respects people's rights. The balance between the two needs redefining, according to a new campaign headed by the respected Index on Censorship.
The current libel law in England doesn't cut the mustard. It prevents us from hearing about duff medicines and toxic waste dumping by major multinationals and allows billionaires and dictators to conceal their crimes.
Libel is a rich man's game. Libel actions in England and Wales cost 100 times more than the European average. Successful defendants do not recover their full costs. Few defending themselves win. Almost everyone made a statement of regret in Court rather than defend themselves.
The rich can sue journalists, writers or scientists from anywhere on earth in London's High Court thanks to so-called libel tourism whereby foreign complainants bring cases here. There are big vested interests because top libel lawyers in London are wealthy and well-connected.
I have therefore joined over 200 MPs from all parties to advocate recasting the libel laws. We need protecting against malicious and reckless stories whilst ensuring a fully effective public interest defence for scholarship and responsible journalism. It may not affect many people individually but we all lose if legitimate public debate is strangled.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |