Court awards damages of $7.5m to Jordan against KN
Justice Fidela Corbin yesterday awarded damages of $7.5m to former Minister of Finance Winston Jordan against National Media and Publishing Company, publishers of Kaieteur News over a defamatory letter published on October 18th of 2019.
She also awarded costs against the publishing company of $1.39m.
The matter pertained to a defamatory letter which related to issues surrounding the Guyana Oil Company.
Jordan contended that the newspaper had not contacted him about the matter. He sent a letter dated October 23rd 2019 to the publishing company requesting a retraction and apology. The defendants: the publishing company and then Editor, Adam Harris published an apology in the KN of October 25th, 2019.
Jordan then sent a letter dated November 1st , 2019 to the defendants demanding that $12m be paid to the Salvation Army in satisfaction if the claim by him for the damage suffered. There was no response to the letter. A case was then filed.
The judge in her examination of the case noted that the publishing company did not deny publishing the statements complained of but argued fair comment. She however pointed out that no evidence was led to make a case for fair comment.
In determining the quantum of damages to be paid, the judge referenced other defamation cases including some relating to the same publisher. In determining the quantum, she said that she took into consideration all the circumstances including the nature and gravity of the allegation and the effect which it may have on the claimant’s feelings and in mitigation that the defendants published an apology.
Weighing all of these she arrived at a figure of $7.5m in damages.
Roysdale Forde SC appeared for Jordan and Shaunella Glen for Harris and the publishing company.