Reading v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2002] NSWSC 1031

Reading v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2002] NSWSC 1031

The whole of the program must be pleaded because the context provided by all segments may affect the meaning or character of the imputations in question, and the jury is entitled to consider the entire broadcast when determining meaning.

Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
05 November 2002
Procedural Posture
Defamation / Interlocutory Application Regarding Pleadings
Outcome
Application granted in favour of the defendant.
Legal Topics
['defamatory Imputations' 'pleading Requirements' 'context in Defamation Cases' 'television Broadcast']
['defamation'] ['defamatory Imputations' 'pleading Requirements' 'context in Defamation Cases' 'television Broadcast']

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Procedural Posture

Defamation / Interlocutory Application Regarding Pleadings

Legal Issues

  1. 1 ['Whether the plaintiff should be compelled to plead the entire television program as context for alleged defamatory imputations']

Ratio Decidendi

The whole of the program must be pleaded because the context provided by all segments may affect the meaning or character of the imputations in question, and the jury is entitled to consider the entire broadcast when determining meaning.

Court Disposition

Application granted in favour of the defendant.

Orders

  • ['The whole of the program be pleaded.' "The plaintiff to pay the defendant's costs."]