Newspaper food critic sued over restaurant review

[CharlieD]

Hi.



What do you think about that.
Ruling leaves sour taste for food critics - National - theage.com.au

 

[jennyema]

That happened in Australia and the article is sort of hard to follow regarding the disposition of the case.

But restaurant reviewers, including the Zagats, have been sued in the US -- generally unsuccessfully.

Here is an excellent article explaining why it's so hard to win a defamation suit involving a restaurant review.

"C)ourts are very reluctant to describe restaurant reviews as anything other than opinions due to their subjective nature. If you cannot prove a statement to be true or false, it is considered an opinion and therefore it is not actionable....

(And) because restaurants ... are generally considered to be public figures for the limited purpose of consumer reporting ... (the plaintiff) must prove actual malice – either a knowing falsehood oracting with reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statement."

 

[CharlieD]

Well, I hoe it stays that way here. otherwise pretty soon one will nopt be able to share his/her opinion publically about any restaurant.

 

[jennyema]

I would not lose any sleep over it, Charlie.