Were the media wrong to settle defamation actions out of court?

[G-Unit]

Looking at the bill the BBC have ended up with following the Cliff Richard affair it becomes clear why Express Newspapers settled with the McCanns without going to trial.

[barrier]

Looking at the bill the BBC have ended up with following the Cliff Richard affair it becomes clear why Express Newspapers settled with the McCanns without going to trial.

Wonder if the Beeb will go the way of echr.

[Brietta]

Looking at the bill the BBC have ended up with following the Cliff Richard affair it becomes clear why Express Newspapers settled with the McCanns without going to trial.

Absolutely 

Cliff is totally innocent as are Kate and Gerry.
Therefore based on the material evidence Kate and Gerry would have been able to place before the court of the libels against them ... the newspapers got off very lightly indeed.

By the way ... it is the licence payers who are paying the BBC bill.

[G-Unit]

Absolutely 

Cliff is totally innocent as are Kate and Gerry.
Therefore based on the material evidence Kate and Gerry would have been able to place before the court of the libels against them ... the newspapers got off very lightly indeed.

By the way ... it is the licence payers who are paying the BBC bill.

Applying the same argument to the BBC's income as some like to apply to Madeleine's Fund, the BBC has other sources of income in addition to the licence fees.

[Brietta]

Applying the same argument to the BBC's income as some like to apply to Madeleine's Fund, the BBC has other sources of income in addition to the licence fees.

As an annual licence payer my legitimate interest in the BBC squandering money starts and ends there.  As a non contributor to Madeleine's Fund I have absolutely no legitimate interest secure in the knowledge that the annual pro bono?? O'Dowd scrutiny will keep everything legal and above board ... not to mention Companies House or whoever.

As I see it ... your post hits the nail right on the head.  This thread being not so much whether the libellous press were right or wrong to pay for the lies they used to coin it in ... but more to do with utter resentment that the innocent parties involved were able to gain redress for the telling and repetition of those lies.

[Robittybob1]

Long live the Beeb.

[John]

A short reminder to all posters to remain on topic and to respect other members point of view which might not necessarily coincide with your own. Please keep comments relevant and amicable. TY

[Miss Taken Identity]

Applying the same argument to the BBC's income as some like to apply to Madeleine's Fund, the BBC has other sources of income in addition to the licence fees.

Selling rights and money from EU  hence why they are not too keen on Brexit.

The McCanns have not been to court to be assessed if they are 'totally innocent'. Their daughter disappeared while in their care, so they are not absolved of blame by any stretch of the imagination.
The investigations have not been concluded so we don't know any outcome.

CR intimated that they had a longer discussion than usual with the McCanns case due to 'circumstances' They would have to look at the possibility of losing, hence why a retainer was requested for work undertaken and  some pre negotiation- billable by the hour!   The fact is they knew stupid headlines would be easy to crush and grab a few dollars.

[Mr Gray]

Selling rights and money from EU  hence why they are not too keen on Brexit.

The McCanns have not been to court to be assessed if they are 'totally innocent'. Their daughter disappeared while in their care, so they are not absolved of blame by any stretch of the imagination.
The investigations have not been concluded so we don't know any outcome.

CR intimated that they had a longer discussion than usual with the McCanns case due to 'circumstances' They would have to look at the possibility of losing, hence why a retainer was requested for work undertaken and  some pre negotiation- billable by the hour!   The fact is they knew stupid headlines would be easy to crush and grab a few dollars.

What a miassive fail by you..no court decided if anyone is totally innocent

[Robittybob1]

What a miassive fail by you..no court decided if anyone is totally innocent

The criteria in NZ for a jury trial for a guilty verdict is "beyond reasonable doubt" definitely not "not totally innocent".

[Mr Gray]

The criteria in NZ for a jury trial for a guilty verdict is "beyond reasonable doubt" definitely not "not totally innocent".

Not in the uk

[Robittybob1]

Not in the uk

What is it in the UK then, for I'd be surprised if it was different, as we tend to mirror UK law.

[slartibartfast]

What is it in the UK then, for I'd be surprised if it was different, as we tend to mirror UK law.

http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/research/beyond_reasonable_doubt/

[barrier]

The criteria in NZ for a jury trial for a guilty verdict is "beyond reasonable doubt" definitely not "not totally innocent".

We have a way to convict the innocent, Stefan Kiszko,the Birmingham 6,the Guildford 4,to name but a few.

[Robittybob1]

We have a way to convict the innocent, Stefan Kiszko,the Birmingham 6,the Guildford 4,to name but a few.

Without a doubt juries can make mistakes.  I'm working on a case in NZ where I believe a person was convicted of a crime he did not do.