Gazette

David Levine is a former Defamation List judge of the NSW Supreme Court. Although retired, he continues to take a keen interest in media law and agreed to comment on some recent and disturbing developments ... more

The rumour mill continues to churn around the future of juries in defamation hearings at the District Court. The Chief Judge of that court, Reg Blanch, declined an interview with the Gazette. No so, the Supreme Court’s Chief Judge at Common Law, Peter McClellan ... more

Judith Gibson’s recent departure as Defamation List Judge at the NSW District Court took everyone by surprise – and caused some speculation about the future of juries in defamation trials. Her Honour agreed to talk to the Gazette about this, and other media law issues ... more

In a major win for First Amendment advocates, the US federal Court of Appeals has ruled that huge fines levied against American broadcast companies for “fleeting expletives” on live TV are unconstitutional. Michael Cameron reports from New York ... more

London-based media lawyer Stephen Collins looks at two recent UK rulings – one affirming the right to publish offensive material, the other defining responsible journalism – and asks what all the fuss is about ... more

“Crisp, entertaining and informative”. Leading defamation barrister Tom Blackburn SC reviews Celebrity and the Law, a recent book examining “the law’s response to a global phenomenon” ... more

Barbara McDonald is Professor of Law at Sydney University, specialising in torts. She is co-author of the recently published Celebrity and the Law and agreed to share her views on this and other vexing media law issues ... more

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 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

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

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

London-based media lawyer Stephen Collins looks at the differing approaches to capacity taken by English and Australian judges ... more

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

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

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

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

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

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

Britain’s libel landscape is up for some major excavation and reconstruction, thanks to Justice Secretary Jack Straw. UK-based media lawyer Anastasia Nicholas summarises what’s at stake ... more

The Supreme Court of Canada breaks new ground by creating a defence of “responsible communication” in defamation cases involving matters of public importance. New York-based Michael Cameron reviews the judgment and its impact on the media and those who would stifle freedom of speech ... more

Social activist and legal academic Julian Disney took over as chair of the Australian Press Council in December 2009. His appointment followed a year of funding cuts and robust debate about the Council’s role and future. In this interview, Professor Disney talks about how he sees it ... more