When Actors claim Defamation!
Not a football topic, but yet topical in recent times.
I've had this concern for sometime, but when professional actors claim defamation, and the witnesses and defendants are also professional actors. In an industry that rewards publicity be it good or bad, who do you believe?
In the Rush case, it looks to me like it is potentially a win / win on all sides except the media, that is a worry. The accuser wins because they have a massively increased profile, Rush wins because he probably gets a settlement to cap a career as it nears an end. The similarities are strong between the Rush case and the Wilson case.
Movements like #MeToo are a worry, too many people benefit from the notoriety that comes from being part of it. being raped, molested as a child and abused has become the norm for Hollywood types, there is hardly a one who claims to be free of such events?
Also, cases that are inherently subjective like the determination of subjectively offensive comments racial vilification under various statutes, etc., etc...
Can courts really decide on such subjective issues when the witness list comprises professional actors or vexatious litigants? Should the courts even try?
I think the recent David Penberthy article about Mumford in context of the media hypocrisy regarding drug use really highlights this issue. Also that erroneous broadcast by Hunchy and Barrett. For a long time the media as vehemently adhered to the strict regimen of never hunting their own, but David Penberthy violated that rules and even although I suspect he now finds himself as a pariah it's probably for the good!