Geoffrey Rush would have zero chance of securing a successful libel verdict if he sued in the United States over the “inappropriate behaviour” story. The same would apply to the cricketer Chris Gayle and the actor Craig McLachlan. Read the rest of this entry »
Free press backwater: how to change the defamation laws that stifle Australian journalism – Richard Ackland
5 01 2019Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Guardian, Richard Ackland
Categories : Australia, Libel
Top 10 Defamation Cases of 2018: a selection – Suneet Sharma
4 01 2019
Inforrm reported on a large number of defamation cases from around the world in 2018. Following the widely read post on 2017 cases, this is my selection of the most legally and factually interesting cases from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States and England from the past year. Read the rest of this entry »
Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: Suneet Sharma, Top 10 Defamation Cases
Categories : Inforrm, Libel
Case Law: Monir v Wood, UKIP branch chairman liable for defamatory tweet posted by vice-chair – Media Lawyer
3 01 2019
In the case of Monir v Wood ([2018] EWHC 3525 (QB)) Mr Justice Nicklin held that a former chairman of UKIP’s Bristol branch was liable for a defamatory message posted on its Twitter account because the author of the tweet was acting as his agent. Read the rest of this entry »
Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Media Lawyer, Vicarious Liability
Categories : Libel
Your right to know: how Australia’s defamation law stifles public-interest journalism – Richard Ackland
2 01 2019
Charles Blondin (aka Jean François Gravelet) was a tightrope acrobat who reached peak fame when he successfully walked on a rope strung across Niagara gorge in 1859. The nerve-wracking trip was 340 metres long and the rope was set 49 metres above the waters below. Read the rest of this entry »
Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Guardian, Richard Ackland
Categories : Australia, Freedom of expression, Libel
Citizen journalists, standards of care, and the public interest defence in defamation – Jacob Rowbottom
18 12 2018
The public interest defence under section 4 of the Defamation Act 2013 replaced the old defence of Reynolds privilege. A number of cases have since established that the old criteria for responsible journalism under Reynolds is still relevant when assessing the reasonable belief requirement of the new defence. Read the rest of this entry »
Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Defamation Act 2013, Jacob Rowbottom, Public Interest
Categories : Libel
Case Law: Morgan v Associated Newspapers, Defendant required to re-plead opinion defence – Media Lawyer
15 12 2018
The newspaper being sued by a wealthy businessman over allegations relating to his purchase of homes intended as affordable housing has been told it must re-plead its defence to his libel claim. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Honest Opinion, Media Lawyer, Mr Justice Nicklin
Categories : Caselaw, Libel
Australia’s defamation laws are ripe for overhaul – David Rolph
13 12 2018
David Ipp, the former judge and anti-corruption commissioner, once wrote that “defamation litigation is a fact of Australian life”. Whatever our self-perception may be that we are a laid-back people, many of us are swift to threaten defamation action. Read the rest of this entry »
Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: David Rolph, Sydney Morning Herald
Categories : Australia, Libel
