Journalist/publisher Ian Wishart has declared victory in a six-year court case that has set precedents both here and overseas for defamation on social media platforms, reports Nick Grant in the National Business Review.
“That’s despite it finally concluding not with a final, resounding judgment from the bench and Mr Wishart being awarded the $1 million he originally sought but with a confidential out-of-court settlement that includes an explicit, abject apology from defendants Chris and Kerri Murray,” Grant writes.
The case centred around a Facebook page set up by the Murrays to oppose Wishart’s 2011 book, Breaking Silence, on the Kahui twins murders.
Wishart estimates the case’s overall cost to him was well over $1 million – “probably closer to $2 million in terms of damage”, but says continuing the case risked it turning into a “quixotic victory” that would leave him with nothing.
Online defamation clarified
“And I was pleased with the outcome,” he told Grant.
Wishart told Grant the case has resulted in clarity regarding online defamation – not only in New Zealand but also Australia, Canada and Hong Kong.
- Read the full story, including the defendants’ apology, here
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