'Contest of reputation': News Corp hits back in Hells Angels defamation lawsuit
The media company isn't relying on a truth defence in its lawsuit with alleged bikie gang leader Angelo Pandeli.
News Corp Australia has hit back at defamation allegations lodged in the Federal Court by an alleged high-ranking member of the Hells Angel motorcycle club.
The Murdoch-controlled media company argued in court documents obtained by Capital Brief that Angelo Pandeli’s existing reputation means he hasn't suffered serious harm from a series of stories published in three of the company’s mastheads.
Pandeli is seeking aggravated damages for a string of articles published in print and online across the Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun and Adelaide Advertiser between January and September last year. The claim also includes video content posted to News Corp Australia’s digital platforms.
A series of stories depicted Pandeli as a “cocaine kingpin” and the leader of a “multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise”. The coverage prompted Pandeli to pursue a defamation lawsuit, first revealed by Capital Brief in January, tapping barristers Sue Chrysanthou SC and Barry Dean to act on his behalf.
