Share

Australian newspaper appeals Geoffrey Rush defamation case

Share

SYDNEY (AP) — A Sydney newspaper and journalist are appealing an Australian Federal Court decision that they defamed Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush with accusations of inappropriate behavior toward an actress.

The Federal Court on Monday said that The Daily Telegraph and journalist Jonathan Moran had lodged an appeal arguing that Justice Michael Wigney’s conduct “gave rise to an apprehension of bias.”

Wigney ruled last month that publisher Nationwide News and Moran were reckless regarding the truth of their story when they reported the 67-year-old actor had been accused of inappropriate behavior in 2017.

Wigney found a newspaper poster and two articles contained several defamatory meanings and the news organization did not prove they were substantially true.

“This was … a recklessly irresponsible piece of sensationalist journalism of the worst kind — the very worst kind,” the judge said on April 11.

Trending:
Prince Harry Named in Major Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Against Rapper

The newspaper and Moran largely relied on the evidence of actress Eryn Jean Norvill during a defamation trial last year.

She said Rush sexually harassed her during a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016 when she played the daughter of his titular character.

Wigney found Norvill was at times “prone to exaggeration and embellishment.”

He said he was not persuaded she was entirely credible and awarded Rush 850,000 Australian dollars ($594,000) in damages.

The Daily Telegraph in its notice of appeal alleged the judge’s “apprehension of bias” was evident when he found Norvill was an unreliable witness lacking in credibility and awarded “excessive general damages.”

Nationwide News and Moran want the Full Court of the Federal Court to set aside Wigney’s decision or order a retrial before a different judge. No date has been set for the appeal hearing.

The lawyers return to court on Friday to consider special damages for Rush’s lost earnings that could run to many millions of dollars.

Rush won the best actor Oscar in 1996 for his portrayal of pianist David Helfgott in “Shine” and was nominated for roles in “Shakespeare In Love,” “‘Quills” and “The King’s Speech.” He is also famed for his portrayal of Captain Barbossa in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.

He received Australia’s highest civilian honor in 2014, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for service to the arts.

The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
Share
The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter
The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.
Location
New York City




Conversation