[cma-l] Libel insurance for radio stations

[CMA-L]

From: tlr at gairloch.co.uk

I would echo Olly's opinion on this.

Much better to put effort into educating/training/reminding volunteers
of their responsibility. The most you are likely to get is the odd angry
phone call from someone who feels they have been slighted or their
business harmed by something said on the radio, and it's worth making
sure that all volunteers are at least aware that if they receive calls
like that, they shouldn't take the complaint personally or engage in
discussion of it in any way, they should do strive to be polite and
receptive to the facts of the complaint, but resolutely refer it to the
Station Manager for consideration.

On being asked for contact details so that the Station Manager can get
in touch with the complainant, many will fizzle away having said their
piece anyway, and if they are going to pursue it, it must be with the
manager, not dealt with by whichever volunteer they happen to get on the
phone. SMs should also bear in mind that to receive such a phone call
can be upsetting for a volunteer who is 'pig in the middle', and they
may need reassurance and thanks for handling it well (which hopefully
after your guidance they did!).

They are very unlikely to be cases where a listener will sensibly pursue
a claim for damages against a community radio station - the most that
might be needed in a difficult case is likely to be an on-air apology.
Any potential litigant if properly advised, would have to consider the
defendant's ability to pay and the potential further damage to
reputation by pursuing the action, and those are unlikely to point to
pursuing the matter legally.

I don't believe it's reasonable to ask volunteers to indemnify the
station, and is unlikely to be of any benefit or legal effect. Instead
it may just make presenters too cautious to do anything interesting, or
simply put them off the 'job' altogether. Much better to make sure they
are aware of, but not alarmed by, their responsibilities not to do
anything unjust to damage the interests of or disrepute anyone else in
the course of working for the radio station.

Alex
Two Lochs Radio
http://www.2lr.co.uk/