High Court Rules Australian Media Companies Can Be Liable For Defamatory Comments Posted On Facebook Pages
https://www.theguardian.comSome of Australia’s biggest media companies have lost a bid in the high court to escape liability for defamatory third-party comments on their social media posts.
In a five-two majority decision on Wednesday, the court rejected Fairfax and News Corp’s appeal, finding they could be held liable for allegedly defamatory material posted to their Facebook pages about Dylan Voller, whose mistreatment in the Northern Territory’s Don Dale youth detention centre led to a royal commission.
The ruling means the case will now return to lower courts to determine whether Voller was defamed, potential defences and damages.