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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qr \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16477107 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 [1980] 26 FLR 108

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16477107 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8151755 SUPREME COURT OF FIJI
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8151755 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8151755\charrsid8151755 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16477107 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 PETER ANTHONY LOMAS
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
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\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16477107 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 FREDERICK CAINE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16477107 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10691204\charrsid346323 [}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 SUPREME COURT, Kermode, J.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9194081\charrsid346323 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 8 February, 1980]
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13126847 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13126847\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16477107 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Civil Jurisdictio}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 n}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 A}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 .}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  Singh with Anil Singh}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  for Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323\charrsid346323 V. Par}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 ma}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323\charrsid346323 nandam}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323\charrsid346323  for Defendant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
\par 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Action for Slander in respect of words spoken at the Tradewinds Convention Centre,}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
 Lami. Discussion of meaning of}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  fair comment, plea of justification, aggravation. Onus on defendant. Accusation of racial hatred defamatory.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Held}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 : An accusation of racial hatred was defamatory
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Case referred to:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11171667\charrsid346323 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Digby v. Financial News Ltd.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  (1907) 1 K.B. 509.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 KERMODE, J.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16477107 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 J}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 UDGMENT}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13126847\charrsid346323 This is an action }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 for slander although the indorsement on the writ of summons states the cla}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14114066\charrsid346323 im is for damages for libel. Th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 e indorsement}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 and the statement of claim make it clear however that the plaintiff complains about words allegedly spoken about him and published by }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 the defendant at the Tradewinds}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  Convention Centre Lami.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 It is not in dispute that the plaintiff was at all material times a journalist employed by the }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Fiji Sun}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  newspaper.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Nor is it disputed that the defendant at a meeting of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 the Alliance National Council to which members of the pub}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4873942\charrsid346323 lic and the press were admitted,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  spoke and published of the plaintiff the following words:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11171667 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 .
.....Some of the people who write these articles should he sent out of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  this coun}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 tr}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2256267\charrsid346323 y. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 And I've got to mention the man's name and that is}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  this Peter Lomas and a few}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  American Peace Corps who have sowed the seed of hatred i}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 n the sport of basketball. And I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  found out in other sports that this particular author has also caused racial hate in 
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 rugby in football and professional b}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 oxin}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 g}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2256267\charrsid346323  I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
 was more than insulted of this recent scrap between Mundine and Fossie Schmidt of Samoa. You should have been there to see}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 the re}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 action. I wasn't there but some}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 one wh}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 o saw (laughter) came and said '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 hey}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  you Samoan.' (Laughter) You save how Fossie Schmidt ran out of the scrap to his dressing room. It's the way the article was writte}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 n accusing the Australian aborig}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 ine that he's got a glass ja}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 w.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  And now}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  the}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 re's a division amongst the Samoans in t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11171667\charrsid346323 h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
e Western Division. This type of example we must stamp out and get rid of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11171667\charrsid346323  people who do }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13909858\charrsid346323 indirect}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  create this."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16214460 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 The evidence discloses there was a meeting of the Alliance National Council at the
 Tradewinds Convention Centre on the 5th August 1978. Amongst others who were present at the meeting were the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the Deputy Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the Minister for Labour and Immigration, Ratu Davi}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10315070\charrsid346323 d}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323  Toganivalu and other ministers and former ministers and prominent supporters of the Alliance Party.
\par 
\par At the time when the defendant addressed the meeting and spoke the words the plaintiff complains about, the subject under discussion was the promotio}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6251633\charrsid346323 n of racial harmony in Fiji}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6251633\charrsid346323  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 which is without doubt a matter of public interest.
\par 
\par The defendant's defence is that the words were fair comment}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10828283\charrsid346323  on }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
a matter of public interest namely the promotion of multi-racial harmony in Fiji and further that the words were true in substance and fact.
\par 
\par In his defence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
 the defendant gave particulars of the facts on which he relied in support of his defence of justification. The particulars areas follows:
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14515845 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10374572\charrsid346323 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 Particulars
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16214460 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10828283 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 (a)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
 That over the period between December, 1977 till Aug
ust, 1978 the Plaintiff has written a series of articles which have caused concern in that it has tendered to put one racial group up against another and thereby generating a feeling of hatred amongst the groups in question."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16214460 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11171667 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 There is no doubt that the defendant was referring }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11171667\charrsid346323 to the plaintiff when h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
e spoke at the meeting and that the words were spoken of the plaintiff in relation to his profession as a journalist. The plaintiff is specifically named and there is reference to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11171667\charrsid346323 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 people who write these articles".
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16214460 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
\par The plaintiff is singled out as one of those people.
\par 
\par The attack on the plaintiff was quite a vicious one. He was accused of sowing "the seed of hatred", which in the context of the words and the subject under discussion can only mean sowing the seed 
of racial hatred and that he had caused hatred in shorting circles.
\par 
\par I hold as a fact that the words are defamatory of the plaintiff and calculated to injure the plaintiff in his profession as a journalist or employment as a journalist by the }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 Fiji Sun.

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
\par The plaintiff is entitled to damages unless the defendant can succeed on his defences of fair comment and justification.
\par 
\par Subject to section 16 of the Defamation Act 1971 the defence of fair comment must be based on facts truly stated. The comment must not contain imputations of corrupt or dishonourable motives on the person whose conduct or work is criticised save i}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7870464\charrsid346323 n so far as such imputations are}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
 warranted by the facts. The comment must also he the honest expression of the persons making the comment.
\par 
\par Section 16 of the Defamation Act 1971 has not altered the law that fair comment is a defence to comment only. The effect of the section is that the defendant will not fail in his defence of fair comment if he is unable to prove the truth of eve}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5457374\charrsid346323 ry}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323  allegation of fact if the expressio}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3084466\charrsid346323 
n of opinion is fair comment hav}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
ing regard to such of the facts as are proved. Where there is any defamatory meaning in any of the facts on which comment is based a defendant must plead and prove a justification.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16214460\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 So far as a plea of justification is conce}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 rned as Collins M}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4669237\charrsid346323 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 R. said in }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 Digb}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 y v}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 .}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  Financial News}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7341418\charrsid346323  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7341418\charrsid346323 Ltd}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
 (1907) 1 K.B. at p. 509 "a plea of justification means that all the words are true and covers not only the bare statem}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 ents of facts in the alleged li}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 bel but also any imputations which the words in their context may be taken to convey."
\par 
\par In pleas of both fair comment and justification the burden of establishing the defence is on the defendant.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 The facts stated by the defendant in the w}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 ords he used are the following:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4921908 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 1. The plaintiff had sowed the seed of hatred in the sport of basketball.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4921908 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4921908 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 2. He had caused racial hate in rugby, football and professional boxing.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2108074 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par These alleged facts wer}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 e alleged to be the resul}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 t of articles the plaintiff was}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  alleged to have written. If the defendant establishes th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 at these facts are true his com}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 ment on them, if fair, would be fair comment on a matter of publi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 c interest and h}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 e}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
would succeed on his defence of fair comment and justification.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 The defendant gave evidence and 
sought to establish his defences. He made no effort to produce any article written by the plaintiff but sought to give evidence about trouble which had erupted after articles had been published in the }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Fiji Sun}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 . There was no evidence that the plaintiff had 
written those articles. No doubt the defendant expected to establish his defences through cross-examination of the plaintiff and his witnesses.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 In view of the admissions made in the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323\charrsid346323 Defence,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
 the plaintiff in the discretion of the Court was allowed to reserve his answer to the plea of justification. He gave no evidence, relying }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 on the admissions, and did not }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 find it necessary}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
to give evidence in rebuttal of the defendant's evidence.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 I am satisfied that the matter being discussed at the Alliance National Co
uncil meeting was a matter of public interest but the defendant has failed to establish his defences of fair comment and justification. Not only has he failed to prove the truth of the facts he stated in his address to the Council he has not even sought t
o estab}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7738407\charrsid346323 lish that the plaintiff wrote an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 y articles which could have caused racial hatred. What wa}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 s required was production of th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
e alleged articles which would have enabled the Court to determine whether they were capable of creating racial hatred.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 It is not sufficient for the defendant to express his views on articles published in the }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Sun}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  which may or may not have been written by the plaintiff and relate that there was a fight b}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2839808\charrsid346323 
etween two sporting teams at a n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 ight club and that a }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Fiji Sun}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  report was involved and that a }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Sun}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
 reporter named Maika had been assaulted and died as a result. Nor does evidence that the plaintiff was in danger of being assaulted at an inter}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 -}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 district basketball tournament at Easter 1978 assist the defendant. He pleaded but did not attempt to prove that the plaintiff had writte}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 n a series of articles that ten}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 ded to create racial trouble between groups of people.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 The plaintiff succeeds in his claim and is entitled to damages and the question is what is the measure of the damages.
\par 
\par The defendant's comments were a vicious unjustif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 ed slander of the plaintif}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323 f }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 in his profession as a journalist. The plaintiff is the sports editor of the }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 Sun}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323  and an expatriate and the remarks were made in the presence of the Minister responsible for Immig
ration who would be concerned whether the plaintiff could}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16477107\charrsid346323  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2108074\charrsid346323 
remain in Fiji. The defendant advocated that persons who wrote in the manner the plaintiff was alleged to have written should be sent out of the country.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4987932\charrsid346323 
\par The Defendant is a Member of Parliament and his utterances would carry more weight with people whom he addressed than the words of some nonentity. In the main}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4987932\charrsid346323  the persons the defendant addressed his remarks to were prominent members of Parliament before whom no doubt he had been in the habit in th
e past of speaking in Parliament. It appears to me that the defendant forgot he was not in Parliament at the time he made the comments where he could with impunity make statements of the nature he made without fear of court action. He chose to make the re
marks in public outside Parliament and this action has been the result.
\par 
\par He was ill advised to seek to justify the defamatory remarks and has maintained that attitude even at the hearing of this action. He has thereby aggravated the damage done to the plaintiff's reputation as a journalist.
\par 
\par This is an action for slander. The words spoken of the plaintiff were not spoken in sudden anger but deliberately in a speech before an influential body of people. There was not 
a large number of people present at the time-the approximate number was between 30 and 50 persons. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 Had I been dealing with a libel, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4987932\charrsid346323 
which is of a permanent form and if published in a newspaper would be widely disseminated the injury done to the plaintiff could have been more substantial.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12598141\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9646074\charrsid346323 
The publication was to a small body of people of influence. While the printed record or the spoken words does not convey the manner in which the words were spoken they no doubt conveyed to those who heard them that they we
re the comments of a politician who was overborne by personal feelings to such an extent as to make some of his comments barely intelligible. I confess I am quite unable to follow the remarks of the defendant in reference to the Mundine Fossie Schmidt box
ing fight and how those remarks bolstered his statement that the plaintiff by his articles created racial hatred in sport. Nevertheless}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9646074\charrsid346323  the offending remarks referring to the plaintiff were explicit.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12598141\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9646074\charrsid346323 
\par Damages awarded in libel actions are of little assistan
ce when it comes to considering damages for slander. The written word can cause more injury than the spoken word and in some quarters it is believed that the spoken word can cause little injury. That is not the view of the law}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9646074\charrsid346323  which in cases such as the instant one presumes general damages flow from such a slander.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid346323 In a multi-}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9646074\charrsid346323 
racial society like Fiji harmonious relations between races is essential to good government. Government has legislated to ensure that good relations shall be maintained. Section 17(1
)(a)(i) of the Public Order Ordinance 1969 makes it an offence to incite racial dislike or hatred by means of words spoken or intended to be read. The defendant's words went further than stating the plaintiff was inciting racial hatred, he stated as a fac
t that the plaintiff by his articles had caused racial hatred.
\par 
\par While this is not a libel action the defamatory statements were of a serious nature and calls for an award of substantial damages.
\par 
\par I assess the damages}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10699274\charrsid346323  at $1,000. The defendant is to pay the costs of this action.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9646074\charrsid346323 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10699274\charrsid346323 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10699274\charrsid346323 Judgment for the Plaintiff.
\par }}