G
Gan Ning
Guest
Nov 16, 2010
Blogger faces libel suit
Case will highlight online claims against ex-teacher and raise issue of how readers may be expected to interpret them
By K. C. Vijayan, Law Correspondent
Blogger Jayne Goh (above) claimed former teacher Janet Wong had taken bribes from parents and was sacked for her actions. -- PHOTO: JAYNE GOH
A FORMER teacher and a blogger are headed for a showdown in the courts in a defamation case. When the teacher, Mrs Janet Wong, came across a blog by Madam Jayne Goh alleging that she took bribes from parents and guardians in return for places for their children in her school, she sued the blogger for defamation. Madam Goh also alleged that Mrs Wong was sacked for what she did.
Mrs Wong had sought a summary judgment from the High Court, which would have granted her a victory without the case going to trial, but Justice Steven Chong saw justification for a trial, which would blow open the web of online allegations and how 'reasonable readers' could be expected to have interpreted them. This is believed to be the first case of alleged defamation by a blogger that will go to trial.
A trial means witnesses will be examined, evidence taken and submissions made; a summary judgment would have kept the matter in the judge's chambers, where lawyers fight the case based on claims made and documents admitted. Mrs Wong, in her 50s and a retiree, says Madam Goh, 43, defamed her by alleging she had demanded $3,000 for each student placed in the secondary school, which was not named in court papers.
Read the full story in The Straits Times today.
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