A CHINESE-AUSTRALIAN billionaire has won a defamation case against two Australian media organizations.
Dr. Chau Chak Wing was among the subjects of an ABC Four Corners episode in 2017.
He sued both media companies after the episode aired, arguing the reports had portrayed him as a “Chinese agent” who “betrayed his country”. He said the reports also defamed him by suggesting he was guilty of espionage, buying political influence and bribery.
The court found the episode had unfairly damaged his “good name”, but had not necessarily made him out to be a spy.
The ABC and Nine Entertainment said the decision is a blow to media freedom.(BBC)
