Simon Singh's victory for freedom of expression

Simon Singh, the science writer, has been allowed the defence of "fair comment" against being sued for libel.  Singh had written about spinal manipulation given to children by chiropractors for illnesses such as colic, ear infections and asthma.  He claimed that the treatments lacked evidence of effectiveness. 

Critics claim that English libel laws stifle scientific debate.  The fear of being sued and perhaps having to pay huge legal costs might dissuade scientists, writers, even humble bloggers, from expressing their opinions. 

Update, 15 April 2010: Sarah Boseley writes that the British Chiropractic Association has now dropped the libel action against Singh.