Newspapers must get approval for evidence in court

NEWSPAPERS defending libel cases will have to seek approval from the courts before giving evidence that might damage the reputation of the person suing them, new legislation will state.

The long-awaited Defamation Bill, which includes new safeguards for claimants and the press, took a step closer to reality yesterday after it passed the final stages of debate in the Seanad.

Among the amendments made were a provision that representatives of publications being sued clear with the judge any evidence they want to give in their defence that might damage the claimant.