Crikey has launched a GoFundMe to help cover legal costs, after its bold advertisement goading Lachlan Murdoch to sue the publication worked.
Last week Lachlan Murdoch launched defamation proceedings against Crikey in the Federal Court.
In response, Crikey has launched a GoFundMe. The campaign aims to raise $3 million dollars, and in less than two days, it has raised over $300,000.
In a statement to promote the fundraising, Crikey said: “We are determined to fight for freedom of speech and a free press — for our right as journalists to cover and analyse matters of public importance.
“What we published was tame compared to hundreds of articles and commentaries about the role of Fox News and the Murdochs in the US (where, as public figures, they can’t sue for defamation). But here in Australia, if we lose the case in court, the cost to Crikey could be millions in damages and legal costs.
“People have been asking how they can support our legal defence. The single best way to support our case is to become a subscriber. This gives us room to use your contribution to defend our case both in the court of law and in public and to continue to hold all forms of power to account. However, if you would like to contribute exclusively to our legal fees, please contribute to this GoFundMe.”
The upcoming legal case stems from the fact that on January 6, Crikey covered the insurrection in the US.
It was a political piece by political editor Bernard Keane. It made allegations against the Murdoch family and its Fox News commentators, about their involvement in the riots at Washington’s Capitol. The Murdoch family denies the claims.
Since that article was published, Lachlan Murdoch has repeatedly threatened legal action and claimed the article was defamatory. Crikey responded but not with the fear you’d expect when a billion-dollar Murdoch is involved. Instead, it took out ads in The Canberra Times in Australia and The New York Times and published an open letter on Crikey telling Murdoch to hurry up and sue the publication.
Now, Murdoch has pulled the trigger, and Crikey is fighting back by hoping the publicity it earned from standing up to Murdoch will get people to donate.
It will be interesting to see what happens next.
