3 years ago
A Chinese-Australian billionaire Dr Chau Chak Wing has won a defamation case against two Australian media organisations over a news which portrayed him as a Chinese spy and a agent. Dr. Wing, a philanthropist and businessman, was among the subjects of an ABC Four Corners episode in 2017.
A court found the episode which aired damaged Dr. Wing's "good name", but had not called him a Chinese spy.
The ABC and Nine Entertainment said the decision has snatched media freedom. The two media organisations have been ordered to pay damages of A$590,000 (£330,000, $450,000) to Dr Chau over their joint investigation.
Lawyers for Dr Chau - an Australian citizen is one of the country's biggest political and cultural donors - says he is very happy to have Dr. Chau's reputation restored after such a baseless allegation by the programme and its journalist.
Dr Chau sued both media companies soon after the episode aired, arguing the reports had portrayed him as a "Chinese agent" who had "betrayed his country". He said the programme also defamed him by portraying he was guilty of espionage, buying political influence and bribery.
"It's broadcast journalism that is treated cautiously and critically by those who watch it," the ABC's barrister, Matt Collins, said during the trial last year.
On Tuesday, the Federal Court rejected the ABC's arguments, finding the damage to Mr Chau's reputation was "both substantial and continuous".
Justice Steven Rares said details in the programme had "struck at the heart of Dr Chau's good name for his integrity, philanthropy, and constructive contributions to developing a positive relationship between Australia and China."
Justice Rares ordered parts of the episode to be removed from the ABC's online platforms too.
