Bass v McDonald & TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd (No.10) [2001] NSWSC 1039

Bass v McDonald & TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd (No.10) [2001] NSWSC 1039

The plaintiff was confined to publication in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Albury because, on the evidence, it was not open to infer that the programme was also broadcast elsewhere in Australia; the contrary possibility was equally likely, and any finding of further publication would be unjustifiable speculation.

Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
21 November 2001
Procedural Posture
Defamation / Reasons for Ruling on Evidence of Publication
Outcome
The inference of publication in other parts of Australia was not open; the plaintiff was confined to the specified places of publication.
Legal Topics
['publication' 'broadcast Publication' 'inference From Evidence']

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Procedural Posture

Defamation / Reasons for Ruling on Evidence of Publication

  1. 1 ['Whether it was open to a jury to infer that a programme broadcast in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Albury was also broadcast in other parts of Australia, particularly Hobart and Darwin.']

Ratio Decidendi

The plaintiff was confined to publication in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Albury because, on the evidence, it was not open to infer that the programme was also broadcast elsewhere in Australia; the contrary possibility was equally likely, and any finding of further publication would be unjustifiable speculation.

Court Disposition

The inference of publication in other parts of Australia was not open; the plaintiff was confined to the specified places of publication.

Orders

  • []