Defamation and the right to free speech

Dear Editor, RTÉ is calling for the defamation laws to be relaxed. It believes they are too restrictive. They want to be freer to say and show things without fear of defamation laws, it seems. We all remember the monstrous injustice to Fr Kevin Reynolds in the Mission to Prey programme on Prime Time on RTÉ. Is it the view of RTÉ that it must be free to say what it likes about people? Are people not entitled to their good name and reputation? Does so-called free speech override justice, fair play and even veracity? I have often heard the remark: “Free speech doesn’t give one the right to shout ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theatre when, in fact, there’s no fire at all.” 

Let’s not forget Fr Kevin Reynolds. 

Yours etc.,

Anthony Redmond,

Drimnagh,

Dublin 12.