Communications Trumps Exonerated Yet Again

9 April 2001

Communications Trumps Exonerated Yet Again in Defamation Proceedings

The Auckland High Court has thrown out an appeal by Rural News Limited. In doing so the High Court confirmed Rural News Limited defamed Wellington PR company Communications Trumps Limited when it published comments about Communications Trumps' advice to New Zealand King Salmon.

The appeal was dismissed on all four grounds raised by Rural News Limited.

Judge Anderson said Rural News' publication "occurred in the context of widespread and seemingly undeserved criticism of a sensational nature."

The Judge found the article directly impugned "the business reputation and goodwill" of Communications Trumps. He also added Communications Trumps "was entitled to vindication of its reputation damaged by the defamatory words?"

Communications Trumps managing director, Norrey Simmons, said she was delighted the company's reputation had been upheld by the High Court of New Zealand.

"It is fair to say our company suffered enormously over the whole issue and this is one of several steps we have taken to restore Trumps' reputation.

Two years to get satisfaction in the courts has been a long time. I'm pleased our action was vindicated."

Communications Trumps is now confident about its imminent action against Radio New Zealand and Green MP Jeanette Fitzsimons.

"We didn't start this campaign, but we will see it finished and our reputation fully restored," Norrey Simmons said.

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