Category: Seminars, interviews & commentary
A tort by any other name
To sue, or not to sue – in defamation, or in injurious falsehood? Media law academic Dr David Rolph reflects on a recent NSW Supreme Court decision that makes it easier for corporations to get injunctive relief ... more
Online defamation around the world
Online defamation has entered a new phase in Australia with the commencement of two actions – one against Google and one against Yahoo! – in the Supreme Court of Victoria. What’s happening in the rest of the world? Leanne O’Donnell investigates ... more
Court reporting all a twitter
As twittering becomes the media avenue of choice for court reporting, debate rages. Is it the same as broadcasting? What are the rules and who should be allowed to tweet? Leanne O’Donnell reports in from the twittersphere ... more
Too much information (not)
The NSW Attorney General has loudly trumpeted the greater media and public access afforded by his new Court Information Bill. The Financial Review Group’s in-house solicitor Richard Coleman examines the facts behind the fanfare ... more
Putting capacity into context
London-based media lawyer Stephen Collins looks at the differing approaches to capacity taken by English and Australian judges ... more
The brave new world of suppression orders
A model Bill has been drawn up, and states and territories invited to pass identical laws dictating how and when suppression orders should be made – but will they achieve uniformity? Media lawyer Phil Beattie takes a look at the proposed new regime ... more
Cash for comment legacy
Ten years on, the Australian Communications and Media Authority has hosted a public forum examining the impact of the disclosure regime spawned by its cash-for-comment inquiry. Reptiles, academics and admen mingled fearlessly ... more
Upping the anti-terrorism Bill
Press freedoms in Australia will take another battering if federal parliament passes the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2010. Journalism academic Dr Jacqui Ewart examines two key aspects of the proposed legislation and their impact on journalists and press freedom ... more
Defamation, privacy and injunctions
Is invasion of privacy the new frontier for interlocutory injunctions? What principles govern the distinction between reputation and other legal interests? Media law academic Dr David Rolph reflects on the case of English footballer John Terry and News of the World ... more
Honest opinion strikes back
Is author Dr Simon Singh’s victory against the British Chiropractic Association a watershed in libel jurisprudence? London-based media lawyer Stephen Collins argues that the result is simply the proper application of the fair comment/honest opinion defence ... more
“Human pseudo-events” and their causes (of action)
Can Lara Bingle sue over the nude shower photo and what’s at stake? University of Sydney media law academic Dr David Rolph casts a wry eye over the evidence – and the law ... more