Defamation, the Internet and Social Media

In the recent case of Al Muderis v Duncan [2016] NSWSC 1363 (14 September 2016), the applicant (an orthopaedic surgeon) made an interlocutory application to restrain the continued publication on the internet of material he alleged was defamatory of him. The defendant had not responded to correspondence and was not represented at the interlocutory hearing.

Background to the Case

The application arose against the background of a complaint by a patient to the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC), which was dismissed. A medical negligence claim was also made and dismissed.

Later, the defendant pleaded guilty to offences of intimidation and using a carriage service to harass, menace or offend. He was convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment suspended on conditions. An apprehended violence order (AVO) was made prohibiting the patient from assaulting, molesting, harassing or threatening the doctor, engaging in any other conduct that intimidates him, or stalking him. The AVO made specific reference to operation of a website.

The court made orders as requested by the medical practitioner, including an order directed to the website host registration entity. The website now appears to have been taken down.

Other Defamation Claims

Defamation claims based on social media publications by private individuals are increasingly being litigated in Australia:

• In 2013, a man was ordered to pay $105,000 damages to a music teacher at his former school over a series of defamatory tweets and Facebook posts.
• In 2014, four men were ordered to pay combined damages of $340,000 to a fellow poker player, arising out of allegations of theft made in Facebook posts. In the former case, Elkaim J. emphasised that:

More defamation cases arising out of social media can be anticipated, but the cases that make it to court represent only a fraction of the concerns about defamatory publications on social media. Many cases settle before they reach court and still more are resolved before any claim is even commenced in court.

There are several ways in which defamation law might be reformed in Australia that could promote freedom of speech, particularly for everyday communication. Currently, plaintiffs suing for defamation in Australia do not have to demonstrate that they suffered a minimum level of harm at the outset of their claims. Publication to one other person is sufficient for a claim in defamation, and damage to reputation is presumed. Defamation law is arguably engaged at too low a level to be useful in this instance for online claims in Australia.

Online Reviews

NDA Law Senior Associate and Media Specialist, Paul Gordon, has warned businesses that fail to adhere to commercial affiliations disclosure requirements on social media, could land themselves in legal trouble.

He said that reviews by paid online influencers are now an established part of the marketing mix, but there is confusion about the legalities of such paid comments. He commented:

Transparent Opinions

Mr Gordon said that from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) point of view, businesses must be transparent about what is the individuals own opinions and what they’ve been paid to say.

He went on to say that businesses should make sure that responsibilities for disclosure are detailed in any contracts with influencers or their agents, and that all posts made should be monitored.

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Al Muderis v Duncan [2016] NSWSC 1363 (14 September 2016 )

Social media influencers causing legal issues – lawyersweekly.com.au

Social media and defamation law pose threats to free speech, and it’s time for reform – theconversation.com

Website Defamation Of Medical Practitioner – billmaddens.wordpress.com