Interrogatories in defamation proceedings will not be allowed to request from a newspaper the source of the journalist’s information where there may be considerable public interest.
References: [1908] 1 KB 403
Judges: Vaughan Williams LJ
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
This case is cited by:
- Cited – Adam v Fisher 1914
There were two possible reasons why a newspaper might be treated differently from another organisation in defamation proceedings, in that discovery of the source of information will not be ordered. First, it might be expected that it was the purpose . .
([1914] 39 TLR 288) - Cited – British Steel Corporation v Granada Television Ltd HL 7-May-1980
The defendant had broadcast a TV programme using material confidential to the plaintiff, who now sought disclosure of the identity of the presumed thief.
Held: (Lord Salmon dissenting) The courts have never recognised a public interest right . .
([1981] AC 1096, [1981] 1 All ER 452, [1980] 3 WLR 774) - Cited – Lyle-Samuel v Oldhams Ltd 1919
The rule that in defamation proceedings, a newspaper defendant should not be obliged in interrogatories to disclose the name of an informant is so well established as to be beyond argument. ‘All I say is that this is an action of libel against the . .
([1920] 1 KB 135, [1918-19] All ER Rep 779)
These lists may be incomplete.
Last Update: 27 November 2020; Ref: scu.193369 br>