702 talks its way into a court win

Talk Radio 702 was the first media organisation to expose alleged misconduct by the Rosebank Orthopedic Surgeon in 2002. Various patients came forward alleging that the doctor "ruined" their lives. Lieberthal subsequently brought an urgent application before the Johannesburg High Court in an attempt to gag 702. He failed.

Weeks later, he sued 702 for over R13 million in damages, claiming he was defamed. 702 stood by its news story and defended the court action which is still pending.

702's station manager, Yusuf Abramjee, welcomed the HPCSA ruling: "We are happy that the council has acted decisively. It backs our decision to air the allegations in the first place. The ruling serves to confirm 702's dedication to expose wrong-doing and we will continue doing so as this impacts positively on the lives of listeners."