13 Jan 2015
JIGME TSEWANG ATHOUP also known as JIGME RINPOCHE v. BRIGHTEC LTD AND OTHERS
- Citation
- JIGME TSEWANG ATHOUP also known as JIGME RINPOCHE v. BRIGHTEC LTD AND OTHERS
- Court
- Court of First Instance
- Case number
- HCA1693/2011
The court accepted that the reportage defence as articulated in Roberts v Gable is available in Hong Kong but held the defendants did not establish it here because the Article was presented as the author's own piece (pseudonymous author), lacked the defining characteristic of reportage (neutral reporting of the fact allegations were made), failed adequate attribution and responsible journalism/verification, and therefore the 1st and 2nd Defendants were liable for defamation; compensatory damages of HKD 150,000 were awarded and aggravated damages were refused.