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Online growth "poses fresh legal challenges"

A group of digital editors is to get together to discuss the legal risks faced by media organisations as they expand their online operations.

The Digital Editors’ Network says the growth of user-generated content, comment boards, blogs, links to third party sources and online breaking news provide journalists with fresh legal challenges.

Now it is hosting an event next month at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston specifically to discuss the issue.

The discussion will be led by Caroline Kean, head of litigation at Wiggin’s and an experienced media lawyer who acts for national and regional newspapers, magazines, book publishers, television and film companies.

The meeting, which will take place on 7 October at 1.30pm, will also include a showcase of new ideas from around the regional media.

Organiser Nick Turner said: “Blogs, comment boards, forums, digital archives, links to third party content and the speed of breaking news online are all providing us with fresh legal challenges as we straddle the divide between traditional media and online communities. I’m very pleased that our network will be able to provide some guidance on these issues.”

The Digital Editors’ Network is a free event supported by the journalism department at UCLan.

For more details and to book a place email [email protected]