libel chill
- noun
- /ˈlaɪbəl tʃɪl/
- Jargon
:
efecto disuasorio por difamación
- Authors fear that libel chill can stifle important investigative journalism.
Examples
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Many news outlets practice self-censorship to avoid the risk of libel chill.
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The public debate suffered from libel chill after several lawsuits were filed against critics.
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The fear of libel chill can stifle important discussions.
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Many journalists experience libel chills when writing controversial articles.
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Many journalists avoid controversial topics because of fear of libel chill.
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The libel chill in the media has led to fewer investigative reports on corruption.
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Activists have expressed concern that libel chill is undermining public discourse.
How Discouraging
57
6.1
- Literature
3
8.1
- Jargon
158
2.5
8
3.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The parts 'libel' (a legal term) and 'chill' (used here in the metaphorical sense ‘to discourage’) point directly to a discouraging effect caused by libel, so the overall meaning is partially compositional. However, the use of 'chill' as a noun/abstract effect (as in 'chilling effect') is somewhat metaphorical and legally specialised, so a B1 learner who knows the literal words may still not fully predict the exact sense without prior exposure.
Etymology
Libel chill compares legal danger to a cold that stops action: libel means a false written statement and chill is something that cools or slows you down. So when writers or publishers fear being sued for libel, that 'chill' makes them avoid speaking or publishing, which is why the phrase means 'a discouragement of free speech because of fear of being sued'.