Between the placards, Austin Lafferty strikes a chord for an increase in legal aid fees. AUSTIN LAFFERTY, the current President of the Law Society of Scotland has given his backing to the draconian media & internet censorship proposals put forward by 83 year old retired judge Lord McCluskey. Lafferty, himself no stranger to hanging around the media and the annals of Edinburgh Sheriff Court & Holyrood on wet days to collect taxpayer funds for his colleagues at the expense of everyone else, claimed the now widely condemned attempt by the Scottish Government to censor anyone with an opinion “will hopefully rebuild public confidence in the media”.
The Law Society of Scotland’s media unit published a Press Release stating Society President and Glasgow-based media lawyer Austin Lafferty said: "The report of the expert group headed by Lord McCluskey will hopefully rebuild public confidence in the media.”
Lafferty went on : "As a long-standing media lawyer, I am well aware that developments in technology have brought new methods of potential intrusion. In my experience, journalists generally act with professional responsibility and self-discipline. However, clear boundaries must be set, with robust sanctions imposed where necessary. Equally, free speech must be protected and we already have libel and defamation laws that work effectively.”
Lafferty added : "I look forward to considering the report in more detail but broadly welcome the group's approach and conclusions, which must now be considered by parliament. I hope whatever regulatory regime is adopted will allow a fresh start for all."
2 comments:
In my experience, journalists generally act with professional responsibility and self-discipline. However, clear boundaries must be set, with robust sanctions imposed where necessary.
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But remember folks there is no tough sanctions by the Law Society against your crooked lawyer because as Austin knows there is no complaints system. All for regulation Austin as long as it does not apply to lawyers.
Another control freak on the loose, choosing to ignore the fact that proposed UK legislation will ignore for among others internet news providers and bloggers.
Proof if it were needed that these people would welcome a police state.
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