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| Charlie Jacoby: 'We will continue to shine a light' |
A DEFIANT note has been sounded by Fieldsports Channel TV after its bruising legal encounter with celebrity wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham.
"Chris hasn't killed us," says lead presenter Charlie Jacoby. "He has not ended Fieldsports Channel which is marvellous.
"We will continue to shine a light where Chris does not want us to share a light."
During a 15-minute hearing in the High Court on Monday, Fieldsports Channel decided not to contest a defamation action brought against it by the BBC Springwatch presenter.
But Mr Jacoby revealed afterwards that it had agreed to pay £30,000 in damages - £10,000 now, £10,000 in January and £10,000 in April.
Its legal costs - put at £70,000 - have been paid by subscribers to the channel which broadcasts via the YouTube platform.
It has also published a retraction and an apology on its website.
According to Fieldsports' estimate, Mr Packham's various litigation actions during the year have cost him about £150,000.
However, he, too, has been the beneficiary of substantial financial support from his allies.
The BBC man's legal representative, Carol Day, told the court: "Given the public apology and the other steps undertaken by the defendants, the claimant is content to let the matter rest."
After the hearing, Mr Jacoby expressed the hope that, in future, Mr Packham would desist from labelling his critics - some of them field sports enthusiasts such as shooters and anglers - "psychopaths" and "hate terrorists".
* The full statement made in open court can be read on the Fieldsports Channel website at:
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