The Media Law Podcast

Jan 31 2025 94 ep. 40 mins 40
The Media Law Podcast artwork

Tom Bennett (City University), Paul Wragg (School of Law, University of Leeds), Colette Allen and guests discuss topical issues from the world of Media Law.

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Newscast! 2025 starts with a bang...

Jan 31 2025 54 mins  
Tom and Paul talk you through the big stories in Media Law from January 2025, including: the settlement of Prince Harry's claim against News Group Newspapers, the rapidly-escalating dispute between actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni, and Liz Truss's attempt to stop Keir Starmer from talking.

Newscast! Drake v Lamar: The Original Beef

Dec 20 2024 39 mins  
Colette and Tom finish the year with a chat about the latest headlines in Media Law. Tom tries to get his head around the beef between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which has recently taken a litigious turn. We also chat about the (possibly temporary) cancellation of "Raygun: The Musical" in Australia, the same jurisdiction's recently-announced social media ban for U16s, and th

Episode 29: Protests, Juries, and Contempt of Court

Nov 26 2024 43 mins  
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the way that criminal courts have used contempt of court offences to restrict defendants in some disruptive protest-related cases from arguing "reasonable excuse" as a defence for their activities. Colette, Tom and Paul are joined by human rights barrister Adam Wagner, of Doughty Street chambers, who lends his expertise to the discussion.

Newscast! Government proposes anonymity for firearms officers accused of offences

Nov 13 2024 27 mins  
Colette, Tom and Paul discuss the latest headlines in the world of Media Law. The UK government has proposed anonymity for firearms officers who are charged with criminal offences. Tommy Robinson has been jailed for another contempt of court. Meanwhile, in Australia, a court has recognised a new tort of invasion of privacy.

Newscast! Reporting restrictions, more SLAPP shenanigans, and a Baby Reindeer libel update

Oct 16 2024 33 mins  
Colette, Tom and Paul rake over the Media Law headlines. A judge rejects a media application to lift reporting restrictions in the case of the two boys who murdered Shawn Seesahai. Meanwhile, we discuss what the fake news scandal at the Jewish Chronicle says about press regulation in the UK, and celebrate another successful prediction as the Baby Reindeer libel suit survives a moti

Newscast! On political speech, extremism, and incitement

Sep 30 2024 27 mins  
Colette, Tom and Paul are back from the summer break - and what a busy summer it's been! In this podcast, they look back on a summer where the distinction between legitimate protest, extremism, and incitement to violence has been brought to the foreground by events in the UK and abroad.

Newscast! Just Stop Oil protesters sentenced

Aug 07 2024 25 mins  
Colette, Tom and Paul discuss the lengthy sentences handed out to five Just Stop Oil protestors convicted of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, and what we can tell about the new government's approach to free speech from its early actions.

Newscast! Assange's freedom, and a Tory candidate threatens the BBC over Gamblegate reporting

Jul 03 2024 28 mins  
On the eve of the UK general election, Colette and Tom discuss Julian Assange's plea deal and return to Australia, and Conservative election candidate Laura Saunders' threat to sue the BBC over its Gamblegate reporting. Also, the latest correct litigation prediction from the MLP team!

Newscast! The Baby Reindeer imbroglio, and understanding contempt of court

May 31 2024 58 mins  
Colette, Tom and Paul discuss the fallout from Netflix's "true story" show, Baby Reindeer. Also up for discussion is the case against Trudi Warner for contempt of court, in which the Solicitor General is pursuing an appeal. Tom talks to Dr Kay Crosby (Newcastle Law School) about the case, and the principle of jury equity.

Newscast! SLAPPs yet again, Scotland's new hate crime law

Apr 25 2024 54 mins  
Colette, Tom and Paul are thrilled to be talking about SLAPPs YET again, and also discuss Scotland's new hate crime law. Also on the agenda are mentions of the Princess of Wales' privacy, and what became of Science Minister Michelle Donelan's legal costs after she libelled two academics.