Teaching Freedom of Speech in the Wake of Roberts-Smith's Defamation Verdict

The recent defamation case brought by Ben Roberts-Smith highlights the enduring significance of truth for public interest journalism and the centrality of truth as a defamation defence. The case also reveals the failure of Australian media law to protect media freedom and the reliance placed upon exemplary public interest journalism to ensure that our democracy functions and that our institutions and the powerful are held to account. The outcome of this case illustrates why media freedom requires greater recognition within Australian media law.