Australia has become well known as the defamation capital of the world, with many high profile figures regularly, and successfully, suing media outlets.




But recently there’s been a new trend: politicians using defamation law against ordinary people.




It’s become so common that one senior government minister is even suggesting creating a new fund to bankroll the lawsuits, all paid for by the taxpayer.




Today, legal academic and contributor for The Saturday Paper Bri Lee on how the current wave of defamation threats is impacting the ability of regular people to criticise their elected officials, and what that might mean for our democracy. 




Guest: Legal academic and contributor for The Saturday Paper, Bri Lee.




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Australia has become well known as the defamation capital of the world, with many high profile figures regularly, and successfully, suing media outlets. But recently there’s been a new trend: politicians using defamation law against ordinary people. It’s become so common that one senior government minister is even suggesting creating a new fund to bankroll the lawsuits, all paid for by the taxpayer. Today, legal academic and contributor for The Saturday Paper Bri Lee on how the current wave of defamation threats is impacting the ability of regular people to criticise their elected officials, and what that might mean for our democracy.  Guest: Legal academic and contributor for The Saturday Paper, Bri Lee. Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/7ampodcast">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a> See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy">acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Australia has become well known as the defamation capital of the world, with many high profile figures regularly, and successfully, suing media outlets.But recently there’s been a new trend: politicians using defamation law against ordinary people....

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