New guidelines to prosecutors on whether to charge journalists with criminal offences committed in the course of their work raise a crucial question that just won’t go away. That question – yet again – is: who, or what, is a journalist? The guidelines were published by the director of public prosecutions Kier Starmer last week. Starmer said at the time: “Journalists, and those who work with them, are not afforded special…

Greater Manchester Police have been criticised for taking three months to interview an officer accused of assaulting a press photographer. GMP’s Professional Standards Branch finally interviewed the officer under caution last month. But Stuart Littleford, editor of the Government and Public Sector Journal, first lodged the complaint back in November 2011. He claims he was injured by the officer while trying to take photographs of a car crash in Oldham. The…

Journalists and photographers across the UK are being given wallet-sized guides outlining their legal rights to take photographs in public places. The Chartered Institute of Journalists is circulating the guidelines to all its members after photographer Stuart Littleford was obstructed by Greater Manchester Police offices three times in two months. The guidelines were originally issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers in 2010. But the CIOJ believes it is time to…

England’s first Twitter libel (or twibel, to the converted) trial starts in the next few weeks, and could be a key ruling for journalists. The case will establish the extent of libel risk on Twitter. It involves former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns, who is suing ex-Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi for stating on his Twitter page that Cairns had a ‘past record in match fixing in the Indian…

People with a complaint about their treatment by a doctor or a hospital usually approach the press for coverage that will help their claim – especially if they’re asking for compensation. There are a number of legal issues with these stories: Defamation 1. Any story criticising a doctor, nurse, surgeon etc runs the risk of defaming them. Doctors have been advised to report critical stories to a lawyer or their…

I can exclusively reveal that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been rolling out a top secret Plan to destroy the club he once loved. The Plan has been unfolding since 2006, with devastating results. I have seen documents that reveal how this one-time genius has carefully plotted the club’s downfall. Here’s how each target has been identified, and then ruthlessly executed: TARGET 1: Get rid of David Dein. The only…

Legal experts are waiting to see what effect a privacy ruling in Germany last week has on English courts. The ruling – the second in eight years involving Princess Caroline of Monaco – favoured the media, at a time when privacy law in the UK is under serious scrutiny at the Leveson inquiry. The European Court of Human Rights dismissed the Princess’ claim that publication of a photo of her and her husband on…

A decision by magistrates earlier this week to order three broadcasters to hand films of the Dale Farm evictions over to police yet again puts photographers in the firing line. Essex police asked Chelmsford magistrates to issue a court order on Sky News, ITN and the BBC after all three refused to voluntarily give their footage to Essex Police. The film is believed to show police using tasers on protestors. Under the Police…

Journalists who get frustrated by delays and obstructions when they use the Freedom of Information Act have a valuable new tool. Ironically, it’s been issued to public authorities by the Information Commission. They have produced a new ‘plain English’ guide for public authorities. It sets out theirobligations and gives practical advice on dealing with problems. But journalists can quote it back to unhelpful officials, who sometimes say ‘No’ because they’re too busy or…