And to our readers in the UK ... please don't sue me!

Many of you will already be aware of the campaign for libel reform in the UK.  The UK libel laws are stifling free speech, and, with no clause for public interest, scientific discussion is being muted too.

Simon Singh's particular case (he is being sued by the British Chiropractic Association) has become the rallying point for efforts to reform UK libel laws to strike a more equitable balance between protection of reputation, and freedom of speech.

Simon spoke about libel reform to the Science Gallery bookclub PRISM last October.  Since then the movement has gained momentum and several groups have joined together garnering support from scientists, journalists, comedians, poets, politicians. They are trying to collect 100,000 signatures, so please visit the webpage today and sign, and then ask 10 friends to sign http://www.libelreform.org/

Announced just this week, there will be a huge gig on March 14th (3.14 ... otherwise known as Pi Day) including comedians Dara O'Briain, Tim Minchin. http://www.libelreform.org/the-big-libel-gig

Simon Singh, who is currently being sued by the British Chiropractic Association, said:“Peter Wilmshurst, Ben Goldacre and I will talk about being sued for libel. Peter is being sued for raising concerns about a heart device. He faces bankruptcy by coming up against our draconian libel laws. We are all put at risk if doctors and scientists are scared to speak out because of English libel laws.”

Simon Singh, Peter Wilmshurst and others who have been sued for libel in the UK will talk this evening at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. I'll be tuning in via NTL ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qps87