Just what protects professionals like Ms. Ehrenfeld?
Reader comment on: N.Y. Appeals Court Opens Door to 'Libel Tourism'

Submitted by John House, Dec 20, 2007 21:18

I had read only one of Ms. Ehrenfeld books. Ironically, it was a translation into Spanish.

I found her courageous, honest and intelligent. Her investigations focus on relevant and meaningful topics, as well as important people. Those qualities are certain to make an investigative reporter unpopular with many factions.

The purpose of libel law is to protect innocent people who do not have the means to protect their privacy. However, it should not be a fig leaf to protect powerful people from honest disclosure of their conduct.

A vigorous international court to handle libel matters between nations is a worthy initiative. We need a recognized international standard and court, as we have with genocide in Bosnia and the Balkans, or the current territorial dispute between Singapore and Malaysia, and the practice of shopping for the most lenient venue must end. The world needs a free, independent media just as the United States does.

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