Australian news outlets can be held liable for defamatory comments posted by readers on their social media posts, the nation's top court has found.
The landmark ruling could have wide implications for how Australian news firms and others use social media.
It comes after a former teenage prisoner sued media companies over Facebook comments posted below articles about his mistreatment in detention.
News Corp Australia and Nine Entertainment could face damages.
Experts say the ruling could have consequences for anyone with a large online following, not just news publishers.
The world-first judgement could also influence defamation cases globally.
What was the case about?
In 2016, the cruel treatment of 17-year-old Dylan Voller in youth detention was exposed in a TV report.
Shocking images of him being shackled to a chair in a spit hood sparked national outcry.
It led to a public inquiry into the mistreatment of inmates in the Northern Territory's juvenile detention system.
There was extensive media coverage, which included articles shared to Facebook by publishers.
Many users made comments on those Facebook posts about Mr Voller, who was released from detention in early 2017.
Later that year, Mr Voller sued the Sydney Morning Herald - now owned by Nine Entertainment - and News Corp's The Australian and Sky News Australia for allowing comments which he said were defamatory.
What did the courts hear?
Over a four-year legal battle, the media companies argued they were not...
Read Full Story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-58484205
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