InSilkin v. Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd., [1958] 1 W.L.R. 743, a House of Lords case, the famous speech of Lord Diplock states succinctly the principle that freedom of speech is subject to the law and like any other freedom there is a balancing. In freedom of speech this right must be balanced against the essential need of the individuals to protect their reputation.
Lord Diplock stated (at pp. 745–46):