Norman George taking court action over cartoon

Atiu MP Norman George has initiated court action in which he seeks to sue three defendants over a cartoon which he alleges was defamatory of him but he will have to wait until November 10 to find out if his case can proceed.
The matter came before Justice of the Peace Tui Short on Thursday morning.
The three defendants are; Tim Buchanan –cartoonist for Cook Islands News, John Woods-managing Editor of Cook Islands News and the company Cook Islands News PC.
George represented himself in court and Charles Little appeared for the defendants. Little attempted to have the charges struck out as the Crimes Act provided that a prosecution for criminal libel needed to be approved by a Judge.
JP Tui Short adjourned the matter until 10 November when High Court Justice Grice would be in the country.
In his claim George alleges that “on Friday 17th September 2010 the Cook Islands News PC, the Third Defendant and edited by the Second Defendant falsely and maliciously wrote, printed and published or caused to be written, printed and published on page 5 of the issue of the said newspaper dated Friday the 17th day of September 2010 and concerning the Plaintiff a cartoon with a caption from the First Defendant which was defamatory of the Plaintiff in his capacity both as a Barrister and Solicitor and a Member of Parliament.”
The caption above the cartoon stated:
“Presenting the latest series of Cook Islands stamps featuring characters who’ve bilked locals of their money and/or conned Government!”
Underneath the caption were four images, caricatures or cartoons (hereinafter referred to as “images”) in the form of stamps: Milan Brick, Nigerian Scammer, Sheik Yerbooti and a slightly obscured and unnamed image of George.
George alleges the caption is defamatory.
Against each defendant, George is claiming damages in the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) and also exemplary damages in the sum of one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars ($175,000.00). A total of $1,425,000.
He is also seeking an injunction to restrain the Defendants or their agents or servants from the publication of the said words, similar images or any of them or of any similar words, images or any words and images to the like effect.

By Charles Pitt

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
- Lucky $1,000 winner
- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009