High profile case highlights potential risks in defamation proceedings
The Federal Court of Australia recently handed down its decision in the defamation proceedings brought by Ben Roberts-Smith against various media outlets and journalists. The high-profile cases attracted significant public and media attention.
In the proceedings, Mr. Roberts-Smith alleged that various publications communicated imputations (meanings) concerning unlawful and unethical conduct in the course of his military service in the Special Air Service Regiment. He alleged that certain publications also communicated imputations to the effect that he had engaged in bullying other defense personnel, committed family violence and that he was a hypocrite as he publicly supported family violence prevention initiatives
