Media law

Wilson Harle's media law practice includes acting for clients in bringing and defending defamation claims, as well as advising and representing media organisations. The firm's experience includes:

  • Acted for the owner of a television network in restraining another network's infringement of copyright relating to broadcasts of the Rugby World Cup 2007. 
  • Acted for the publisher of the New Zealand Herald in striking out a claim for contribution in defamation proceedings. 
  • Acted for a major New Zealand newspaper in challenging an injunction to prevent the publication of a book concerning the conduct of the opposition political party. 
  • Acted for TV3 in defending urgent interim relief applications regarding televised debates immediately prior to two different general elections.
  • Acted for TV3 in defending a claim in defamation by Joe Karam, the campaigner for David Bain, for televised republication of excerpts from a live radio debate.
  • Acted for a former public servant in a claim for defamation against her former employer which successfully resisted strikeout which argued absolute privilege extended to communication between civil servants and Minsters outside Parliament.
  • Represented both complainants and defendants in complaints before the Advertising Standard Authority.
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