New media defence against defamation claims

Gavin Ellis says New Zealand media law has taken a significant step forward with the creation of a new defence against defamation claims - the public interest. Also, award-winning cartoonist Jim Hubbard is being dropped from NZME regional newspapers in a move that mirrors decisions already made by Stuff to syndicate the work of Tom Scott throughout its regional titles. Gavin Ellis is a media commentator and former editor of the New Zealand Herald. He can be contacted on gavin.ellis@xtra.co.nz