Overview
Australian media operates under tightening regulatory and legal pressure. Defamation reform, expanding platform obligations, suppression orders and contested privacy rules now shape what can be published, by whom, and at what cost.
With deep commercial insight and an unrivalled grasp of media and cyber law, the team understands the importance of delivering strategic, fast and practical advice, helping clients publish with confidence in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Thomsons holds a Chambers Asia Pacific Band 1 ranking for Media recognising we have Australia’s largest and most experienced dedicated media law practice, led by industry heavyweights Justin Quill, John-Paul Cashen and Marlia Saunders.
We are the team media clients call when the heat is on – from front-page defamation battles and urgent pre-publication calls to open justice fights, championing freedom of speech and digital regulation challenges.
Areas of expertise
Our experience
Network Ten – Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten defamation
Acted for Network Ten Pty Ltd (owned by Paramount) in the successful defence of one of Australia’s most high-profile defamation proceedings. Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann sued Network Ten and presenter Lisa Wilkinson in the Federal Court over reporting on The Project concerning allegations of rape by colleague Brittany Higgins. Justice Michael Lee dismissed the claim, finding on the balance of probabilities that the rape occurred. We also acted for Network Ten in Mr Lehrmann's unsuccessful attempts to appeal the decision in the Full Court of the Federal Court and the High Court.
X Corp (Twitter) – X Corp v eSafety Commissioner
Acting for X Corp (formerly Twitter) in multiple judicial review and pecuniary penalty proceedings in the Federal Court and Administrative Review Tribunal challenging the validity of notices issued under Australia’s Online Safety framework. This includes defending global content takedown applications relating to violent incident footage, merits review proceedings concerning cyber abuse notices, and broader advice on compliance with Basic Online Safety Expectations and regulatory investigations.
Nine Entertainment Co – Dr. Munjed Al Muderis v Nine defamation
Acting for Nine Entertainment Co in a landmark defamation proceeding brought by surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis. The Federal Court decision marked the first successful reliance on Australia’s new statutory “public interest” defence under the 2021 defamation reforms. We continue to act in the appeal.
Nationwide News – “Lawyer X” suppression orders
Acted for Nationwide News (Herald Sun) in a five-year legal campaign to overturn extensive suppression orders relating to the “Lawyer X” scandal. The matter progressed through multiple appellate stages and ultimately reached the High Court, establishing significant precedents reinforcing open justice and the media’s role in reporting matters of public interest.
Nationwide News – Shandee’s Story” podcast
Acting in appellate proceedings arising from defamation claims brought by John Peros against Nationwide News in relation to reporting connected to the “Shandee’s Story” podcast. The matter raises important questions about the statutory “serious harm” threshold introduced by the defamation reforms and its application in the context of investigative reporting.
Numerous media outlets – Cardinal George Pell contempt proceedings
Acted for approximately 100 different media entities, editors, news directors and journalists in contempt of court proceedings arising from reporting on Cardinal George Pell’s conviction (later overturned on appeal), involving significant issues of sub judice contempt and media reporting restrictions.
The Teacher’s Pet podcast – Production advice
Advised on the production of Australia’s most downloaded podcast, The Teacher’s Pet, providing extensive pre-publication advice throughout production and managing legal issues arising during subsequent criminal proceedings in which the accused was ultimately convicted.
Social media platforms – Social media regulatory reform
Advising major global technology platforms on compliance with Australia’s evolving online safety regime, including minimum age proposals for social media access and regulatory investigations by the eSafety Commissioner.
News Corp – APY Arts Centre defamation
Acting for The Australian (News Corp) in defamation proceedings concerning reporting on the authorship of artworks at the APY Arts Centre Collective. The matter involves complex questions of art provenance, cultural authorship and reputational harm.
Industry leadership
Thomsons partners with leading journalism organisations, contributes to media law reform and provides pro bono support to initiatives strengthening media freedom and public interest reporting.
We sponsor the Walkley Foundation, which supports Australian journalism through scholarships, fellowships, mentoring and grants, and presents the Walkley Awards. Thomsons also sponsors the Melbourne Press Club and the Quills Awards. The Club is hosted within our Melbourne office. Justin Quill serves as Chief Judge of the Quills and previously served on the Club's Committee for nearly two decades.
Thomsons sponsors the Kennedy Foundation and the Kennedy Awards, which recognise excellence in Australian journalism. The Foundation is named after former Sydney Morning Herald journalist Les Kennedy.
Marlia Saunders chairs the Law Council of Australia's Media and Communications Committee. Justin Quill is Immediate Past Chair, having served for nearly a decade.
Thomsons engages across the sector's professional bodies. Marlia Saunders is a member of the Copyright Society of Australia and serves as Secretary of the Communications and Media Law Association. Thomsons is a member of the Australian chapter of the International Institute of Communications and is active in the Media Law Resource Center.
Thomsons provides pro bono legal support to Women in Media on intellectual property, governance, services agreements, contracts and sponsorship. Thomsons also provides pro bono legal services to the Alliance for Journalists' Freedom, including drafting proposed legislation and supporting white papers. The Alliance was established by journalist Peter Greste.