News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch has filed defamation proceedings against Crikey, alleging it accused him of being complicit with Donald Trump in the deadly 2021 Capitol riots.

Crikey had published an analysis piece by political editor Bernard Keane that labelled the Murdoch family "unindicted co-conspirators" of Trump following the riots.

The lawsuit could be the first test of new defamation laws in force across much of Australia that require plaintiffs to show a publication has, or is likely to cause, serious harm to their reputation.

Murdoch’s lawyers claim the Crikey article meets that test, because of the alleged “allegations of criminality” and so-called “sensational language used” in the analysis piece.

Crikey’s publishers have welcomed the lawsuit, saying the outlet will not be silenced.

Today on Please Explain, legal affairs and investigative reporter Michaela Whitbourn joins Bianca Hall to discuss this most unusual case.

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News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch has filed defamation proceedings against Crikey, alleging it accused him of being complicit with Donald Trump in the deadly 2021 Capitol riots. Crikey had published an analysis piece by political editor Bernard Keane that labelled the Murdoch family "unindicted co-conspirators" of Trump following the riots. The lawsuit could be the first test of new defamation laws in force across much of Australia that require plaintiffs to show a publication has, or is likely to cause, serious harm to their reputation. Murdoch’s lawyers claim the Crikey article meets that test, because of the alleged “allegations of criminality” and so-called “sensational language used” in the analysis piece. Crikey’s publishers have welcomed the lawsuit, saying the outlet will not be silenced. Today on Please Explain, legal affairs and investigative reporter Michaela Whitbourn joins Bianca Hall to discuss this most unusual case.
Click to subscribe <a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/">https://subscribe.theage.com.au/</a> or <a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/">https://subscribe.smh.com.au/</a>

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

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