WHEREAS the Covenants of Rights and Freedoms provide for absolute freedom of speech except in cases of "libellous abuse of that right" (2nd Covenant}, and
WHEREAS Talossa has historically been loath to impose "libel laws" upon its citizens; and
WHEREAS certain Talossans have charged other Talossans with illegal conduct or violations of laws in the press but have been unwilling to have those charges examined by an impartial court of law to render a final verdict on their validity, thus contributing to a deterioration in political dialogue and increasing disrespect for the rule of law; and
WHEREAS the overriding principle of justice must be that people have a right to an innocent reputation until they are proven guilty in a court of law;
THEREFORE the Ziu hereby RESOLVES: That if one citizen charges another with illegal actions or violation of laws, this action shall constitute libel in Talossa unless and until the citizen making the charge obtains vindication of said charge from a court of law in Talossa; and in the absence of such vindication the person making the charge shall be legally responsible for his libel.
Ureu q'estadra så,
Ben Madison (PC-Vuode)