UNE Law academics, Lecturer Lisa Ward and Senior Lecturer Julia Day, have co-authored the opening chapter of the newly published 'Research Handbook on Social Media and the Law', released in London. Their chapter, titled 'Defamation and Social Media Law', examines the evolving challenges posed by social media to traditional defamation laws.
Lisa Ward expressed her excitement about the publication, calling the collaboration with Julia Day a "dream team effort." She explained, “Historical defamation laws were built for a 'one-to-many' world of traditional media. The rise of social media has shattered that model, creating a 'many-to-many' dynamic where content spreads through vast networks in seconds. This fundamental shift poses immense challenges to legal frameworks that were never designed for such speed and scale.”
Julia Day echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of their work in addressing these challenges.
“Together, we delved into the evolving landscape of defamation law, particularly in the wake of social media's rise. In our chapter, we explored how traditional laws have been adapted to meet the demands of the digital era, analysing key cases and developments in both Australian and international law,” she said.
The Research Handbook on Social Media and the Law brings together expert perspectives from Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America, critically examining the intersection of social media and legal systems. Chapters address topics such as offensive online speech, platform regulation, intellectual property rights, and the impact of social media in courtrooms and workplaces. Ward and Day’s chapter provides clarity on the risks and responsibilities in the digital age, offering valuable insights for legal practitioners, scholars, and students navigating this complex landscape.
