LONDON – The British high court has dismissed James Dyson’s libel suit against Channel 4 News after a story was aired on alleged labour exploitation at a Malaysian company that used to supply goods to the tycoon’s eponymous brand.
In a ruling yesterday, judge Matthew Nicklin said although the broadcast referred to the 75-year-old billionaire, it did not imply any defamatory meaning.
“The broadcast is simply not about him, and no ordinary reasonable viewer could conclude that he was being in any way criticised,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Channel 4 Television and Independent Television News were named in the suit brought by James and two subsidiaries.
James claimed that the broadcast falsely depicted him and companies Dyson Technology and Dyson Limited as complicit in alleged exploitation.
Nicklin also said the broadcast did not refer to the subsidiaries but Dyson could publish a revised claim on behalf of the firms or for a claim to be brought by other companies in the Dyson group.
The broadcast on February 10 was mostly on Malaysian firm ATA Industrial, which previously supplied products to home appliances maker Dyson.
Last November, Dyson cut ties with local supplier ATA IMS Bhd after findings involving the company’s labour practices and allegations emerged following an audit. – The Vibes, November 1, 2022
