A secondary school teacher has been awarded $105,000  by District Court Judge Michael Elkiam. This Australian landmark case is the first time a social media  Twitter defamation case has reached to trial in Australia.

Back in November 2012 a person posted a series of defamatory comments on Twitter  and Facebook about a High School Teacher who had replaced the Tweeters father in the role of High School Music teacher.

This decision is a reminder to brand owners, company owners as well as individuals that social media networks, whether large or small are publishing platforms in the eyes of the law and defamation on these channels can result in high penalties for people  who are proven to have defamed.

This is a timely reminder to all Directors, Company Owners and Boards need to ensure that they have social media policies in place for their staff.