Question 2

Question 1

Three definitions of a defamatory statement

Answer 1

1. exposing them to hatred, ridicule or contempt, or causing them to be shunned or avoided
2. lowering them in the estimation of right thinking members of society
3. belittling the person in there business, trade, office or profession

Question 2

What is a defamatory statement? KEY-WILL COME UP IN EXAM

Answer 2

A defamatory statement is those published or spoken which affect the reputation of a person, company or organisation.

Question 3

What a claimant has to prove ?

Answer 3

1. the publication is defamatory
2. it may be reasonably understood to refer to them-that is “identification”
3. it has been published to a third person

Question 4

three steps to remember what a claimant must prove

Answer 4

defamation, identification and publication

Question 5

What is a inference ?

Answer 5

An inference is a statement with a second meaning. e.g i saw the editor leave the pub and he was swaying and speech was slurred– inference is that the editor was drunk when the term drunk was not used.

Question 6

Why media organisations would be reluctant to fight defamation actions

Answer 6

1. difficulty of proving truth
2. huge damages could be awarded if trial is lost
3. huge costs
4. may be better to settle.