Defenders of press freedom have been been facing the wrong way. I thought an attempt to impose statutory regulation of the British press would come from the EU – and there are worrying signs that the European Commission is hoping to do exactly that. But earlier today, a series of "Leveson" amendments to the Defamation Bill were passed in the House of Lords that, if they find their way into law, will usher in statutory regulation via the back door. (To read more, click here.)
