Hi Slarti,
I just read Ian's post (left the building) with shock and dismay.
I've also read a couple of the posts and emails about Ian from Mr Coates et al. As a journo of 30+ years experience, I feel that Ian may have a possible case to issue a writ of defamation against the two persons identified in the screen grab of a website.
I felt sick to the stomach when I read what was written, and as the forum (in the screen grab) is indeed a published work in Australia, Ian would certainly be able to explore this avenue.
For a person to sue for defamation, truth in reporting is not required.
A person can sue if they feel their reputation has been damaged in the public arena.
Ian would simply have to say the website published the material in which he was identified and upon reading the allegations, inferences and other words damaging his repputation tell the courts he was sick to the stomach.
My 2.2c worth.
Ben
