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Defamation claim launched against Nine by former NSW Australian of the Year
A professor who has accused Channel Nine and a number of subsidiary publications of defamatory actions has officially issued a claim in the Federal Court.
Lauren Croft
In September, HWL Ebsworth, on behalf of Professor Munjed Al Muderis, issued a 40-page Concerns Notice alleging more than 60 defamatory imputations by Nine-owned Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, 60 Minutes, and 9Now.
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The media organisations had 28 days to respond — but never did.
This came after the professor — a former NSW Australian of the Year — was the subject of an investigation by Nine, which “uncovered a darker side of Al Muderis’ booming and lucrative practice”, according to an article by the publisher at the time.
This week, Professor Al Muderis issued defamation proceedings against Channel Nine, Fairfax Publications, and The Age Company in the Federal Court of Australia, over publications by 60 Minutes and in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, after being the subject of what he has called “one of the most unfair, unjustified and unlawful attacks” by mainstream media on a medical professional.
Professor Al Muderis has alleged he is the victim of a sustained and unjustified attack from the media organisation.
“I believe that my time and energy [are] best spent caring for my patients, not preparing for court proceedings. However, I feel I need to take this action, as it is crucial to reaffirm to my patients, through appropriate and official channels, that they have received, and will continue to receive, the quality care and attention that they deserve,” he said
“It saddens me to see this reduction of the sacred and personal nature of someone’s health and mobility, and the trust they give me, by the media. I will not engage in this approach, and my confidence in resolution remains in the systems and processes put in place, and via the appropriate channels.”
The investigation in question showcased numerous former patients alleging that Professor Al Muderis did not properly take care of them — something he said has “greatly impacted” him.
“The patient stories have greatly impacted me and my family. It has been an extremely stressful time as I was previously and genuinely unaware of the situation the patients who have come forward feel they are now in,” he said.
“I remain hopeful that by pursuing the appropriate channels to address their concerns and publicly reaffirming my commitment to patient care, I can continue to contribute to medicine and my patients’ lives. They deserve this level of respect from both me and the systems in place to protect them.”
