The British Humanist Association (BHA), together with the Conservative Humanist Association (CHA), last night held a fringe event at the Conservative Party annual conference in Manchester, marking the first anniversary of the CHA.
The meeting was introduced by Jeff Peel, Chair of the CHA and Andrew Copson, BHA Director of Education and Public Affairs, who both drew attention to the successes of the last year for both organisations, and the need for political humanist groups to keep attempting to influence party policy.
Science writer and broadcaster Simon Singh addressed the well-attended reception with a presentation focused on science and in particular his own ongoing legal case, where he is being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association.
Simon argued that much science journalism and inquiry in England is being stifled by libel laws, with journalists and scientists being threatened with libel cases if they report on or criticise claims or practices which they consider unscientific or without an evidence base, such as highlighting the lack of evidence for claims that are made for the efficacy of chiropractic procedures in curing a range of ailments.
As libel cases are 140 times more expensive in England than the European average, with disproportionate costs of £1 million for £10,000 in damages, the personal cost in fighting a libel case is high. Increasingly, it was argued, people do not defend journalism and criticism that really should be defended.
The talk was followed with a question and answer session, and a chance for networking and for delegates to meet with Simon Singh as well as CHA and BHA representatives.
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The British Humanist Association is the national charity representing and supporting the interests of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.