From the ACMA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced the commencement of the ‘Contemporary community safeguards inquiry’. The inquiry will focus on the need for broadcasting standards to remain in line with changing community expectations. The ACMA is seeking to to explore and establish the core principles that should guide the content […] Read more »
Defamation Law & Media Law eNews Items
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Case Note: Rana v Google Australia Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 60
From the Federal Court, Inforrm’s Blog and Defamation Watch: The Federal Court has issued its decision in Rana v Google Australia Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 60. The decision has been described as a win of sorts for Google, though not entirely in the terms that they would have preferred. Facts/Background Mr Rana sought damages from […] Read more »
Federal Court provides clarity on internet simulcasting
From the Australian Copyright Council: The Federal Court has unanimously ruled in favor of artists and recording labels, by overturning a previous decision regarding internet simulcasts. The PPCA (representing the artists and recording labels) in its press release reports that it “has won a declaration that internet simulcasts of radio programs fall outside the definition […] Read more »
Google appeal upheld by High Court
From the ACCC: The High Court of Australia has unanimously upheld Google Inc.’s appeal from a judgment of the Full Federal Court that found that Google had contravened the Trade Practices Act 1974 by engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct. The ACCC will carefully review the judgment of the High Court to understand whether it […] Read more »
ACCC seeks special leave of High Court in TPG case
From the ACCC: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has applied for special leave of the High Court to appeal the 20th December 2012 decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia in relation to TPG’s advertisements for its Unlimited ADSL2+ broadband internet service. The Full Court allowed TPG’s appeal in […] Read more »
Australia does not sign up to International Telecommunications Regulations on Internet Law
From DBCDE: The Minister for Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today confirmed that Australia will not sign a revised international telecommunications treaty on internet law, as it has the potential to fundamentally change the way the internet operates. Over the past two weeks, the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) has […] Read more »
Government moves to ensure quality Australian TV content
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced a package of measures to ensure quality Australian TV content. “Free-to-air television plays an important part in our lives, and seeing Australian stories told on TV is vital in reflecting and maintaining our Australian identity, character and diversity,” Senator Conroy said. […] Read more »
Sister takes defamation case to High Court
A Franciscan sister, sued for defamation by the former mayor of a Council on the New South Wales far south coast, has applied to take her appeal to the High Court. The case involves a letter sent by Laurel Lloyd-Jones, from Dalmeny to media and the then New South Wales Premier, Nathan Rees. In the […] Read more »
Half of internet users unsure if internet content is legal
Nearly half of all internet users are unsure whether the content they are accessing online is legal, Ofcom research has found. However, one in six people online believed they downloaded or accessed content illegally over a three-month period this year. The findings come from the first wave of a large-scale consumer study into the extent […] Read more »
Defamation case withdrawn by energy giant
The ABC reports that Grid Australia – the body representing the owners of the nation’s transmission networks – has dropped a defamation claim against New South Wales grazier Bruce Robertson, after initially starting proceedings against him for comments he made about the electricity industry. Now one energy researcher believes the reputation of the industry has […] Read more »
Australian man wins defamation case against Google over images published online
The Australian reports that a man has won a landmark defamation law case against Google after images of him were published alongside gangland figures including drug baron Tony Mokbel. The man – who has lived in Australia for 42 years also claimed that a Google search for his name brought up stories about an unsolved […] Read more »
2GB breaches privacy provisions of code
30 October 2012: The licensee of Sydney Radio station 2GB, Harbour Radio Pty Ltd, has been found in breach of the the privacy provisions of the Commercial Radio Australia Codes of Practice Act 2011. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that the broadcast on the Ray Hadley Morning Show on 25 November 2011 of a […] Read more »
2GB makes accuracy and ‘significant viewpoints’ commitment
18 October 2012: The licensee of Sydney radio station 2GB, Harbour Radio Pty Ltd, has agreed to an overhaul of its processes to ensure that reasonable efforts are made to verify facts and present significant viewpoints in its current affairs programs. The agreement comes after a review conducted by 2GB of complicance processes after the […] Read more »
ACCC opposes Seven Group Holding’s proposed acquisition of Consolidated Media Holdings
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that it will oppose the proposed acquisition by Seven Group Holding’s (Seven) of Consolidated Media Holdings (CMH). Seven had proposed to acquire the balance of shares it does not already own in CMH. Seven owns 25.3% of CMH shares and 33% of shares in the Seven Network. […] Read more »
ACCAN Position Statement: Copyright and Consumers
9 October 2012: Consumer advocacy group the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has issued a position statement discussing consumers and copyright law, particularly in regards to the issue of illegal downloading and online copyright infringement. The paper tackles some of the issues surrounding the protection of consumer rights at a time where strengthening of online copyright protection is […] Read more »