The Media Law Journal, published by Steven Price, focuses on issues related to media law including defamation, responsible communication in the public interest, media regulation, and the interaction between different media oversight bodies such as the Media Council and the Broadcasting Standards Authority. It covers legal analysis of media complaints, accuracy in reporting, corrections and retractions, and jurisdictional questions concerning broadcasting standards, especially in the context of new media platforms. The blog also discusses the implications of legal decisions on media practices and public interest journalism.
It was bound to happen sooner or later.
Complaints are being made to both the Media Council and the Broadcasting Standards Authority about basically the same stories. And they’re reaching different conclusions.
How can this happen? Easily. Let’s say Radio…
This is PS to the post below.
I’ve now read what Judge Harvey and Liam Hehir have to say about this (and have had a chance to debate Judge Harvey on The Platform). I have to accept that the issue…
The BSA has agreed to consider a complaint against internet-based radio station The Platform. This has triggered a cascade of tizzies from Sean Plunket, Winston Peters, David Seymour, the Free Speech Union, David Farrar, and others. Plunket called the…
Odd fact about the Broadcasting Standards Authority: for the last few years, they’ve only been upholding about 5% of complaints.
Why? I think there’s a range of reasons. Generally responsible broadcasters. Dumb complaints. Complaints brought under the wrong standard. Greater…
Someone defames you anonymously online. Can you find out who it is?
Maybe. There are legal avenues to seek a court order that an internet host reveal the identity of the person. One of them is called a Norwich Pharmacal…
A couple of recent cases suggest that the courts are awarding significant sums for defamation even where the publication is very small. This is despite the new rule that says plaintiffs, if challenged, have to show that the publication they…
Damages for breaches of the Privacy Act used to be laughable. The very top award was $40,000 to someone whose treatment in an addiction facility was revealed to the media. Not only was it taking an age for the Human…
The defence of common law qualified privilege applies (to cut short a lot of legal jargon) when someone tells someone something in good faith, believing they need to know it. Think: telling the police that the neighbour is running methlab…
Name suppression decisions can be tough sometimes. No matter your views on free speech, you have to be hard-hearted not to be torn by the tug of the competing arguments.
I think you can feel the Supreme Court wrestling with…
I’ve been asked to post the following ad. If you are pillar of the community type, and interested in both free speech and media accountability, this could be for you.
NEW ZEALAND MEDIA COUNCIL
Public Member Appointment
Do you have…
