Today on Media Files we look at the suppression order that prevented the Australian media reporting the Pell case - and why rushing to judge-only criminal trials may be a mistake.
AAP/PAUL TYQUIN
Pell trial reporters, a judge and a media lawyer on why the suppression order debate is far from over
The Conversation, CC BY79,9 MB(download)
On the day George Pell was sentenced, several experts with wide-ranging experiences of suppression orders discussed how they affect the public’s right to know and whether the laws should be reformed.
There are better ways for politicians to address defamation concerns than through the courts.
AAP/Ellen Smith
When the media genuinely behave badly, this should be called out by politicians. But doing so through the courts is not a good idea, nor conducive to democracy.
A man accused of raping a seven-year old child at a restaurant in South Africa makes his first court appearance.
Eyewitness News/Christa Eybers
Social media presents new challenges in sensitive cases but media houses must stick to the law.
Jordan Peterson speaks to a crowd during a stop in Sherwood Park, Alta., in February 2018. Peterson is suing an Ontario university and three of its staff for defamation.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Twitter posts and messages on WhatsApp can come back to haunt you, even years later.
The High Court found that Michael Trkulja could sue Google for defamation due to search results that potentially indicated that he had ties to Melbourne’s criminal underworld.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Google has lost a High Court appeal in defamation litigation brought by Michael Trkulja. It is time to consider that extending “safe harbour” to Google may be a good idea.
A large slab of defamation action in Australia is now disputes between individuals over comments posted online, rather than high-profile actions like Rebel Wilson’s.
Mal Fairclough/AAP
Twenty years ago, a Texas court decided Winfrey hadn’t defamed the state’s cattle industry. At the time, local media struggled to explain the science at stake in the case.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, seen here at the provincial legislature in January, is among politicians who have threatened to sue political foes.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The trend of politicians suing other politicians is worrisome since it risks limiting free speech. But there’s a solution at hand known as anti-SLAPP legislation.
Rebel Wilson’s large damages award for defamation is a salutary lesson that defaming a celebrity with an international profile can lead to a substantial payout for the economic harm done.
Rebel Wilson in Melbourne for her defamation trial against Bauer Media.
AAP Image/Joe Castro
In many cases, a reference will contain negative things about its subject. This is part of a reference’s design: the referee should give a full and frank assessment.
Is it defamatory to ‘name and shame’ alleged rapists? Absolutely, according to South African law – and those who share that information on social media are liable too.
Google is responsible for search results.
antb/Shutterstock.com
Treasurer Joe Hockey has declared he does not regret suing Fairfax for defamation, despite being hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Joe Hockey’s successful defamation case against Fairfax Media raises questions about the extent to which politicians should be able to sue in relation to publications about their public conduct.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
Hockey v Fairfax illustrates that recent legal and technological developments still pose challenges for defamation law, which has not been reformed to keep pace with these changes.