On April 30, New York governor David Paterson signed the Libel Terrorism Protection Act into law. Passed unanimously by the New York State Assembly and Senate, this long-arm legislation protects New York authors from the crippling threat of foreign libel judgments in countries with weak speech protections.
"New Yorkers must be able to speak out on issues of public concern without living in fear that they will be sued outside the United States, under legal standards inconsistent with our First Amendment rights," said Governor Paterson. "This legislation will help ensure of the freedoms enjoyed by New York authors."
"Terrorism and terrorist financing are matters of vital interest to all New Yorkers, in no small part because New York City remains a target of significance for international terrorists," said Manhattan district attorney Robert M. Morgenthau. "New York authors must have the freedom to investigate, write and publish on terrorism and other matters of public importance, subject only to limitations that are consistent with the U.S. Constitution. This legislation will help to ensure such freedom."
The law was inspired by author Rachel Ehrenfeld's difficulties defending herself in the U.S. courts against a trumped-up English libel judgment. Now, it benefits her. She will shortly be returning to court to seek a declaratory judgment against Sheikh Khalid bin Mahfouz, who sued her in England--and won--after she discussed his financial ties to terrorism in her book.
Watch The Libel Tourist here.