Footy Show defamation case nears

Last year’s notorious Footy Show segment in which Sam Newman ridiculed journo Caroline Wilson in a scantily-clad mannaequin will form part of a defamation trial that goes before a magisrate on November 16th.

Western Bulldogs director Susan Alberti is one a group of senior female AFL figures who wrote a letter to Nine bosses  to complain about the stunt.

At the time Gary Lyon said that Dr Alberti had bought two tables in The Footy Show audience after the skit while Sam Newman called the women “liars and hypocrites”.

Newman and Lyon are expected to face the Supreme Court over the case.

In documents previously filed with the Supreme Court, Nine, Newman and Lyon claim the comments were honestly held opinions, based on “substantially true” facts, and related to a matter of public interest. “The conduct of the presenters of The Footy Show in regard to the portrayal and treatment of women, and the reaction and conduct of other people following the broadcast … attracted widespread media interest and debate.”

Source: news.com.au