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ARTICLE · 25 MAY 2021

The defamation reformation: Australias laws receive a makeover for the digital age

Bartier Perry Solicitors
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Summary of the expected impending changes to defamation laws.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Jennifer Shaw
Jennifer Shaw
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Sixteen years ago, when Australia's current defamation laws were written, it was the norm for people to purchase printed newspapers. They were the days when tomorrow brought ‘new news' and yesterday's news would end up in the waste paper basket.

Times have certainly changed. We now have iPhones, social media (including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and of course, online news media which is available 24/7.

Changes to Australia's defamation laws are expected in the near future to catch up with the reality of today's world. In this article I take a closer look at those changes.

What is defamation?

First, a quick look at what defamation means and a case example.

Defamation is a communication from one person to another or to a group of people which damages the reputation of a third person. In NSW the law of defamation is currently governed by the Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) and common law.

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