The court rules media are liable for Facebook comments on their stories.
According to the new rule, publishers can be held responsible for defamatory comments readers leave on their Facebook pages. The High Court further announced that it could have far-reaching consequences for social media users throughout Australia.
Based on this decision, social media page administrators can be sued over disparaging comments posted by readers or random group members. This rule could also affect individuals, online community groups, neighbourhood Facebook pages, the local P&C Facebook group and more.
This case can apply equally to Twitter, Instagram, and other social platforms or websites with comments sections. Facebook and Instagram page administrators can turn off comments sections, while Twitter lets users restrict comments to only certain people who can comment.
[4 minute read]
