What the celebrity injunction means for press freedom

Last week, it emerged that an unnamed celebrity had asked a court for anonymity, and an injunction to stop two news outlets airing allegations that he abused his fame to prey on young women. The request was partly made on mental health grounds - he said he’d kill himself ‘at the earliest opportunity’ if publication went ahead. It’s prompted a storm of speculation about who the man is, and sparked a debate on press freedom and responsibility. So will the claims be published and will the man - who denies the allegations - be revealed?

This podcast contains discussions around suicide.

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Guest: Pia Sarma, editorial legal director at Times Media and deputy general counsel, News UK.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

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Read more: Celebrity ‘suicide’ injunction could open floodgates, warns Ian Hislop

Further listening: How the rich and powerful try to intimidate the press

Clips: TalkTV, Times Radio, Sky, Channel 4, Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images.

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