JUDGEMENTS | When a former PM took on the media [Lange v ABC]

About this episode

This episode explores the defamation case of Lange v ABC, highlighting its impact on media, politics, and law in Australia.

In the early 1990s, former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange found himself at the center of a defamation storm in Australia. The ABC re-broadcast allegations suggesting he acted improperly while in office. Lange sued, sparking a legal battle that reached the High Court and tested the limits of free political communication under the Constitution.  Lange v ABC set a landmark precedent: political speech is protected, but not at the expense of personal reputation. In this episode, we unpack the courtroom drama, the judgment, and the enduring impact on media, politics, and the law in Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics covered

• defamation
• political communication
• media law
• courtroom drama

Keywords

• David Lange
• High Court
• Australia
• free speech
• political speech

Mentioned in this episode

Places: New Zealand, Australia

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