Discovery Project:
Defamation Law in Context: Australian and US News Production Practices and Public Debate
2003-2005

Legal and media commentators claim Australian defamation law 'chills' media speech and limits public debate, especially compared to the US. This project examines how defamation risks are considered in media production practices under differing legal, institutional and social contexts in Australia and the US. It responds to important defamation law developments and media transformations. The project will:
- Produce qualitative data about media news production practices and products in Australia and the US
- Use the data to evaluate the role of defamation law in the media's contribution to public debate, and argue for optimal reforms to Australian defamation law.

Chief Investigators: Andrew Kenyon, Tim Marjoribanks (Sociology Program, University of Melbourne)

Research Fellow: Jason Bosland