The law is a blunt tool we wield to decide arguments that have no obvious answer. But, in the digital age, it has to be sharper than this.
With this new ruling, publishers will need to decide between increased monitoring or risking the occasional defamation suit.
For all the publicity that a Geoffrey Rush or Rebel Wilson case attracts, the vast majority of defamation suits are small, wasteful and often result in outcomes disproportionate to their social value.
It's very unlikely former Don Dale detainee Dylan Voller will win this one, but we should all be watching closely.
Crikey readers discuss the latest Nationals scandal and defamation law in Australia.
As Rush stands accused afresh, each side (and the media) must calculate what to throw at their fight.
Defamation law in Australia continues to deny the public from hearing the truth. In this, Australia could take a page from the US Supreme Court.
The court order to pay $3.75 million is the largest damages awarded against him.
Justice Michael Wigney described the defence, which referred to such historical events as the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, as difficult to get to grips with.
If Australia is to overhaul its defamation legislation, the first step would be to have the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to do a full-scale inquiry.
