LCR4805 Assignment 1 Semester 1 Memo | Due March 2026

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LCR4805 Assignment 1 Semester 1 Memo | Due March 2026. All questions fully answered. After a fire breaks out in a shopping mall in Pretoria East, South Africa, a popular blog hosted by
NetHost Ltd (a South African Internet Service Provider) publishes an article alleging that Mr.
Rodgers, a local businessman, paid someone to start the fire. The article goes viral and appears
in Google search results.
As a result of this article, Mr Rodgers suffers reputational damage and loses several clients.
a) In order to institute a defamation claim, Mr Rodgers must prove that publication took place.
Discuss what the term publication means in this instance and explain when it will take place. In
your answer, refer to applicable law. (5)
b) Will it make a difference to your answer in (a) above if the article was written in a secret
language? Substantiate your answer. (3)
c) Can NetHost(Ltd) be compelled to reveal the name and address of the user who has placed
the defamatory messages on the internet? Substantiate your answer. (7)
Discuss in detail by referring to court cases, legislation (if applicable), and academic
commentators (if applicable). Also, refer to the position in other jurisdictions.