Journalism 310 – Publication Law

1. Journalism 310 – Publication Law Lecture 2 – 3 September 1999 Fahmi Rais Curtin University Of Technology

2. Defamation • Website Sources • The Defamation Act http://www.lovellwhitedurrant.com/Newsite/CLNTNOTE/Defamation/DEFAMEO.HTM • The Information and Communication Law Site – Defamation http://www.ozemail.com.au/~faslaw/ic5a.htm • Defamation on The Internet http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/jan98/net.htm • Defamation & The Internet http://www.perkinscoie.com/resource/ecomm/cumb026b.htm Curtin University Of Technology

3. Defamation • Website Sources • Digital Defamation http://www.ssbb.com/digital/html • On-Line Defamation http://www.cl.ais.net/lawmsf/articl14.htm • Website Liber and Slander http://www.steelhector.com/Briefings/Website_LibelandSlander.htm • Cyberspace and The Law of Defamation http://wings.buffalo.edu/Complaw/ComplawPapers/msgrath.html Curtin University Of Technology

4. Defamation • Introduction – the aims of defamation law (Defamation Act 1974) • Youssoupoff v Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer • Scott v Sampson • Parmitter v Coupland • Sim v Stretch Curtin University Of Technology

5. Distinctions Between Libel and Slander • Slander – words, transient by nature • Libel – in print, permanent • Injurious Falsehood Curtin University Of Technology

6. Proof • The words used are defamatory • You are the one referred to • The words are published - words must be heard or read by other parties • Damage (in the case of slander) Curtin University Of Technology

7. Defences • Justification – words used are true • Fair comment – public interest • Privilege – parliamentary / judicial proceedings - family communication - complaints or reports to authority - employee’s letters to trade union • Innocent publication • Innocent Dissemination • Apology - mitigation Curtin University Of Technology