Why defamation suits in Australia are so ubiquitous — and difficult to defend for media organisations

Brendan Clift explores the attorney-general’s defamation case against the ABC, recaps defamation laws, and explains the reforms we’re getting versus the reforms we need, in this crossposting from The Conversation.

Attorney-General Christian Porter is suing the ABC for defamation and claiming aggravated damages.

Porter is claiming that an article published last month included false allegations against him in relation to a historical rape. A statement from his lawyer says although Porter was not named, the article made allegations against a senior cabinet minister “and the attorney-general was easily identifiable to many Australians”.

Richard Wainwright/AAP

Be a member to keep reading

Join Mumbrella Pro to access the Mumbrella archive and read our premium analysis of everything under the media and marketing umbrella.

Become a member

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

"*" indicates required fields

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.