Food processor Talley’s loses defamation claim against TVNZ

The High Court has delivered a resounding win to TVNZ in a long-running defamation stoush between the broadcaster and one of its reporters, Thomas Mead, and giant food processor Talley’s Group.

Talley’s had been seeking a declaratory judgment that it had been defamed, plus indemnity costs, over a series of six television broadcasts and six website publications relating to Talley’s alleged non-compliance with ACC, employment, food hygiene and health and safety requirements.

The items in question were broadcast and published between 1 July 2021 and 22 May 2022.

Talley’s claimed the publications harmed its reputation and had caused, or were likely to cause, pecuniary loss. And because much of Mead’s information relied on anonymous sources, the plaintiffs (unsuccessfully) tried to force him to reveal their identities.