Apology by ‘Times’
Mr Leonard Fortune, the conciliator, has accepted an out-of-Court settlement in his claim for damages against the “New Zealand Times” newspaper and Mr Justice Barker struck out the action in the High Court.
In a statement read to the Court by Mr P. B. Lublow it was said that in the “New Zealand Times” of September 30, 1984, an article about the problems at the Ocean Beach freezing works was printed under the heading: “Death threat on works conciliator,” which referred to Mr Fortune, of Christchurch. Mr Fortune had been the subject of a death threat arising from indus-
trial difficulties at the Ocean Beach works but it was made in 1978. The 1984 article conveyed to the readers that Mr Fortune had been recently threatened and had responded by making comments critical of union officials.
Defamation proceedings were taken by Mr Fortune because in his view the article seriously compromised his position as a professional conciliator as it conveyed to persons knowing his background that he was involved in misleading and inaccurate publicity and was given to unwarranted criticism of union personnel.
Mr Fortune considered that his professionalism
and standing as a conciliator had been put at issue. The “New Zealand Times" unreservedly recorded that the article was not Intended to adversely reflect on Mr Fortune’s competence or professional standing in any way. That the article could indirectly call in question his reputation as a conciliator was neither foreseen nor intended by the newspaper. Any embarrassment caused to Mr Fortune was greatly regretted. An agreed sum had been paid in settlement of the action and the parties agreed that the claim be dismissed, Mr Lublow said.
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Press, 12 February 1986, Page 4
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280Apology by ‘Times’ Press, 12 February 1986, Page 4
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