Defamation Panel: CAMLA’s Communications Law Bulletin

External publications Written by Kevin Lynch (Partner)

The Supreme Court of New South Wales has held that, in relation to defamation liability, media companies are deemed to be the publishers of any comments posted to their public Facebook pages by members of the public. Justice Stephen Rothman’s judgment has implications for any businesses that allow user generated comments on their public Facebook pages (and potentially similar forums) as a means of generating subscription or advertising revenue.

Johnson Winter & Slattery Partner Kevin Lynch participated in a defamation panel discussing the findings of Voller v Nationwide News Pty Limited; Voller v Fairfax; Voller v Australian News Channel (2019) NSWSC 766 for CAMLA’s Communications Law Bulletin.

Kevin was one of five ‘favourite defamation specialists’ called on to share insights on this significant judgement alongside Marlia Saunders, Senior Litigation Counsel, News Corp Australia; Sophie Dawson, Media and IT Litigation Partner, Bird & Bird; Robert Todd, Media and Technology Litigation Partner, Ashurst; and Justine Munsie, Media and IP Partner, Addisons.

Read the full roundtable published in the quarterly Communications Law Bulletin.

You can receive the quarterly Communications Law Bulletin by joining the Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA) at www.camla.org.au.

Important Disclaimer: The material contained in this article is comment of a general nature only and is not and nor is it intended to be advice on any specific professional matter. In that the effectiveness or accuracy of any professional advice depends upon the particular circumstances of each case, neither the firm nor any individual author accepts any responsibility whatsoever for any acts or omissions resulting from reliance upon the content of any articles. Before acting on the basis of any material contained in this publication, we recommend that you consult your professional adviser. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation (Australia-wide except in Tasmania).

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