DEFENCES

DEFENCES

1. UNINTENTIONAL DEFAMATION

   • S. 7 of DA
     • (a) no intention to publish and no knowledge ( E Hulton & Co. v Jones)
     • (b) words are not defamatory on the surface and no knowledge it could be defamatory ( Cassidy v Daily Mirror NP)
     • Reasonable Care (Ross v Hopkinson)
     • Offer of Amends

2. JUSTIFICATION

   • S. 8 of DA
     • Prove the words are SUBSTANTIALLY true
     • Once the defamatory statement is proven to be true, the law will not protect the Plaintiff (Institute of Commercial Management UK v News Straits Times Press (M)
     • Defence will survive it other allegations is not proven as long as the substantial claim is proven true

3. FAIR COMMENT

   • S. 9 of DA
     • An OPINION
       • TEST : Whether an ordinary reasonable man would regard the statement as fact/comments
     • Based of TRUE FACTS
       • SB Palmer v AS Rajah & Ors
     • PUBLIC INTEREST
     • NO MALICE

4. PRIVILEGE

   • ABSOLUTE
     • S. 11 of DA
       • Fair, Accurate reports on COURTS PROCEEDINGS
       • must be FAIR and BONA FIDE
     • Article 63 (3) FC
       • official parliamentary papers
   • QUALIFIED
     • STATUTE
       • NEWSPAPER ONLY S. 12 of the DA
         • Fair and Accurate
         • No MALICE
         • Not blasphemous, seditious/ indecent
         • public interest
     • COMMON LAW
       • No MALICE
       • Have legal, moral and social duties

5. CONSENT

   • Can be a complete defence if can prove consent given by Plaintiff

6. APOLOGY

   • S. 10 of the DA
     • mitigating factor