Latest Communications Law Bulletin available to CAMLA members

Editors’ Note:

Communications and media lawyers have sure been busy this last quarter. The Senate passed the Federal Government’s Bill which will change media ownership laws in Australia. Rebel Wilson received the biggest award of damages in Australian defamation history. CBS is looking likely to take over the Ten Network. The Government responded to the Productivity Commission’s recommendations regarding IP laws. John Ibrahim has commenced defamation proceedings against The Daily Mail. And the ACCC is investigating internet companies’ advertised broadband speeds. When you get a chance to catch your breath, there is – scientifically speaking – no better way to enjoy the October sunshine than sitting down with the latest edition of Communications Law Bulletin.

This edition is the second volume of our Defamation and Free Speech special. We have a case note from HWL Ebsworth’s Rebecca Lindhout on the Rebel Wilson trial, followed by a comment by two leading media law academics from Sydney University, David Rolph and Michael Douglas. We also have two brilliant lengthy pieces – one from News’ Larina Mullins and the other from Banki Haddock Fiora’s Phil Beattie. Larina tackles the multiple publication rule, and Phil gives us a comprehensive analysis of the contextual truth defence. Larina also gets a shout-out in this edition’s interview with her colleague, News’ Michael Cameron, about free speech and defamation following Michael recently being awarded the Press Freedom Medal. HWL Ebsworth’s Andrew Miers provides practical advice regarding defamation insurance. CAMLA Young Lawyer representative, Tom Griffin, profiles new Allens partner, Valeska Bloch (most famous for her role as a previous editor of this illustrious publication), and we report on two recent CAMLA events, the CAMLA Young Lawyers’ seminar on defamation and the CAMLA event on electronic marketing. We advertise two upcoming events – a seminar with ACCC Chairman Rod Sims, and the annual Young Lawyers speed mentoring event – further details inside.

And, yes, we have the photos from the industry’s night of nights, the CAMLA Cup.

Enjoy! – Victoria & Eli