RIGHT TO CRITICISE PUBLIC MEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 3

RIGHT TO CRITICISE PUBLIC MEN

Mr Justice Stable upheld, in a libel action by a coroner against a newspaper at Manchester Assizes, the right of newspapers to publish criticism of people in public positions. "In my view.” he said, "it is a very good thing, provided comment is honest and not a cloak lor some personal spite or grudge, that people who occupy public positions should be open to public criticism. One of the best methods of expressing public criticism is in the Press. “It would be an unfortunate day if a newspaper was to be penalised for publishing comment on a matter of public interest, provided that comment was honest. We notice what dreadful manners other people have, but not what extraordinary bad manners ws have ourselves. A great many of us might benefit from a little candid criticism from outside. If we cannot see ourselves as others see us, other people must be allowed to tell us how they see us.” The Judge dismissed a libel action brought by the coroner, who complained of a letter published in the "Stockport Advertiser.” in which the writer criticised the Coroner’s conduct of an inquest.