ABC wins defamation case over racing cruelty
Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys has failed to sue the ABC following a 7:30 segment.
- Published by David Knox
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Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys has failed to sue the ABC and journalist Caro Meldrum-Hanna for defamation following a 2019 7:30 segment on cruelty against former racehorses.
The Racing NSW chief executive must now pay the ABC and Meldrum-Hanna’s costs.
V’landys alleged he was “greatly injured” by the way the segment portrayed him, arguing his reputation was brought into disrepute, ridicule and contempt.
But Federal Court judge Michael Wigney said he was not convinced the ABC conveyed any of the imputations alleged and dismissed the application.
“The ABC welcomes today’s decision in the Federal Court that its October 2019 7.30 investigation The Final Race did not defame Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys,” an ABC spokeswoman said in a statement.
“The Final Race was an important and groundbreaking investigation, forensically and conscientiously reported, which exposed the cruel treatment and miserable fates of many of Australia’s retired racehorses in slaughterhouses and abattoirs – and by doing so brought about significant change.”
Judge Michael Wigney said, “…. I was not persuaded that the ABC and Ms Meldrum-Hanna acted dishonestly, deceitfully or with malice in the way they compiled the report.”
Source: Australian Financial Review
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4 Responses
Good on you ABC.
Oh Pete, people were and are making fun of you because of the way you say Rugby league not this.
And this is the exact reason why horse racing must be banned in this country…
Good luck with that, the sports bet industry and countless horse racing addicts, among whom are a few well known sporting personalities, will not agree with you.
Ban horse racing and the industry will move to NZ, Middle East and Asia, thousands of jobs will be lost and many more horses put down, State Governments will also lose many millions in yearly revenue.