Court throws out media companies’ attempt to join Rebel Wilson defamation appeal

The Victorian Court of Appeal has rejected a united attempt by media companies to join Bauer Media in their appeal against last year’s $4.5 million defamation award to Rebel Wilson.

The attempt saw Fairfax, News, Nine Entertainment, Seven West and the ABC join Bauer’s appeal against the judgement claiming it exceeded the legal cap for defamation payouts and that the ruling had implications for free speech in Australia.

This morning the Victorian Court of Appeal rejected the media organisations’ application.

Wilson was triumphant about the decision, tweeting that the media organisations’ application had been “thrown in the trash like Bauer Media’s magazines”.

https://twitter.com/RebelWilson/status/976622946826338304

Mumbrella has sought comment from Rebel Wilson’s management and the media organisations concerned.

Paul Wallbank

Paul Wallbank was news editor at Mumbrella between June 2017 and June 2019. Previously he's covered business and technology issues for outlets ranging from The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald to the ABC and Business Spectator.

topics Bauer Media defamation Rebel Wilson

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Comments: 1

Ann Birrell 23 Mar 18

I do not support the ABC joining this application.
Was the agreement to join in name only?
Are there financial implications for the ABC?

I would have thought that there are other more effective ways to protect free speech than supporting this application.

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