Articles For Week 7
Cops settle drug test defamation case
http://news.smh.com.au/cops-settle-drug-test-defamation-case/20080328-220v.html
The Sydney Morning Herald reports on a 43 year old Ballarat Courier named John de Jong who may recive a $250,000 settlement after he was falsely labeled as a drug user. Police using new drug testing equipment pulled the man over for a random drug test and found him positive. The media who had been following this first public test of the equipment reported on the man with police claiming it was "the world's first positive drug driving test." Mr de Jong met with his weeping family after the public disgrace, and after an independant lab test contested that he was clean, he brought a defamation case against the police. "A technical error caused embarrassment and distress not just for me, but for my wife and children. I look forward to receiving the statement of regret from Victoria Police."
This case relates to what we have learned in class and in the book. Defamation by the media can be a real hurtful tool. In this case as in others, the offenders offered to pay settlements out of court and offered a public appology.
Arguing defamation case puts financial pressure on
http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/Story/tabid/209/articleID/50210/cat/41/Default.aspx
A timber company called Osmose New Zealand is sueing National MP Nick Smith, a former employee, for damaging comments that he and a scientist named Robin Wakeling. Besides the fact they are both being sued for 15 million each, the more pressing trouble is that the legal fees are shutting Mr. Smith down. So far he has spent $300,000 in legal fees. He is desperate to settle but Osmose refuses to let them off the hook. When asked if he faced bankruptcy, he admitted to the fact he didn't have 15 million.
Legal battles can be more devastating than just the damages. It looks as though the company is going to run these two into the ground and then after they have won the battle, demand all of the money from them which they just drained in legal battles.
Gossip and Slander at a Campus Near You
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/02/08/juicy
Andy Guess writes for Inside Higher Ed about a website called JuicyCampus.com, a site that is a hot bed for slander and libel in the student world. Although the site's official stance on it is that it isn't allowed, but the line is blurred and often ignored. Students have sought legal protection after mean faced slander has been said about them and universities are beginning to ban the site.
Action is slow to be made in this case. Slander and Libel cases may return with money, but the damage is still done.