As quoted:

"But the defamation law will ask the ABC to prove more than just what it actually reported. Porter’s lawyers say the story raised “imputations” – impressions in the minds of readers – well beyond those words. Imputations are the “vibe” of the story taken as a whole. In this story, the key impression Porter’s lawyers will argue was conveyed to readers is that he, as a matter of fact, “brutally raped a 16-year-old girl in 1988”, and that this contributed to her taking her own life.

Assuming the judge accepts these imputations, if it wants to defend itself on the basis that the article was true, the ABC will need to prove that the rape actually occurred. They will also need to prove that it contributed to the woman’s suicide. The police cannot prove these things. The ABC cannot prove these things. Nobody can.

Or, as The Australian’s Chris Merritt gleefully put it: “Milligan and the ABC are in a dreadful position. Their best option is a long, grovelling apology accompanied by a very large cheque. They have been snookered.”

I would think that there are a lot of puckered anuses at the ABC.

What do the Porter lawyers base their claim that the mere mention of rape and a unnamed cabinet minister automatically triggers the name Christian Porter in the minds of people, and no other, can they prove such a claim? Is the Porter mob admitting Porter has a reputation in this regard?

Hi Pauly4

1. Whole show maybe to put the frightners on the ABC. As:

2. Cost for ABC to hire lawyers to protect itself will run into $millions/year out of ABC's limited budget.

3. Meanwhile Gov can quietly hint it can always, 1/4 or halve ABC's annual funding.

Turnbull definitely asked in his above interview whether or not the woman took her own life.

Listen to it if you don't believe me.

If she didn't take her own life then who did?

I know it wasn't me. I wasn't even there when it happened.

Was it you? Come on, own up. Who was it?

. Meanwhile Gov can quietly hint it can always, 1/4 or halve ABC's annual funding.
Posted by plantagenet.

What fun if they actually did cut the ABC back a bit. Watching the cat fight over salaries, production costs & technology spending would offer more fun than a Cassius Clay fight.

Can you imagine the lovies claws & teeth out over who copped the greatest salary reduction, if any. The blood would run as deep as the current bulldust.

Hasbeen,

I bet a guy like you wouldn't get upset and go running to the ABC if a bloke called YOU a lying cow.