For decades, Britain’s libel laws had been living down to Mr. Bumble’s expectations. But freedom of expression worldwide received a boost – and Britain’s reputation for commonsense was somewhat restored – in April, when Parliament adopted legislation revising the country’s libel law.
巴黎——“如果法律做出这种假设”，《雾都孤儿》中的班布尔先生说，“那法律就是混蛋、白痴。”几十年来，英国的反诽谤法辜负了班布尔先生的期望。但今年四月议会通过立法修改反诽谤法推动世界言论自由有了长足的进步，而此举也在一定程度上恢复了英国人通情达理的名声。