Defamation

Artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT is facing a landmark defamation claim by Hepburn shire council mayor Brian Hood, alleging it incorrectly identified him as someone facing charges in a foreign bribery scandal rather than his role as whistleblower.

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has filed defamation proceedings against the ABC, the third such lawsuit he has brought after suing Ten and a News Corp Unit over publications airing the rape allegations of his former colleague Brittany Higgins.

The judge overseeing a defamation action brought by Fox News CEO Lachlan Murdoch over a Crikey article that allegedly linked him to the January 6 riot on the US Capital has questioned the “scorched earth policy” taken by both sides.

Nine has won more time to file its evidence in advance of a six-week trial in defamation proceedings by surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis, despite a judge noting its “under-resourcing” of the matter, which the court heard could involve the broadcaster calling up to 40 witnesses.

Erin Molan will receive zero damages under a settlement reached with the Daily Mail, after the Full Federal Court set aside a $150,000 defamation judgment for the sports presenter and sent the case back for a new trial.

Leading defamation lawyer Patrick George has joined Company (Giles), reuniting with former protégé Rebekah Giles after leaving the law firm he founded 17 years ago.

Fox News CEO Lachlan Murdoch wants a court to decide before trial whether a Crikey article published last year that allegedly linked him to the US Capital riot was defamatory. 

A judge has sent the ABC away to rethink its truth defence to claims in a case brought by former Army major Heston Russell that alleges two articles in 2021 defamed him by suggesting among other things that he was involved in murdering an Afghan prisoner.

A judge has rejected a bid by The Project presenter Lisa Wilkinson to discover a 39,000-page AFP report outlining the contents of accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann’s phone, calling it “a classic fishing expedition.”

Accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann texted friends “you got any gear” and “need bags” on the day former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins went public with rape allegations on an episode of The Project.